Ministers Srinivas Reddy, Laxman Kumar inspect arrangements on motorbikes

Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Adluri Laxman Kumar inspected the arrangements for the ongoing Sammakka–Saralamma Maha Jatara on Thursday morning, touring the fair area, including the Jampannavagu, on motorbikes. District Collector T.S. Divakar and senior officials accompanied them during the inspection.

During their visit to Jamppannavagu, the ministers reviewed facilities for devotees taking holy bath in the rivulet and inspected sanitation and cleanliness across the surrounding areas at the ground-level. Officials were instructed to ensure zero inconvenience to pilgrims during the peak days of the biennial fair.

With the arrival of Saralamma, Medaram witnessed a surge in footfall, with lakhs of devotees thronging the shrine. The Jampannavagu was flowing lively as pilgrims took ritual dips, while long queues formed for darshan of the deities. The district administration said all arrangements had been made to ensure smooth darshan without discomfort to devotees.

Crowds are expected to swell further with the arrival of Sammakka later in the day from Chilkalagutta. Anticipating the heavy rush, the administration has taken advance measures to manage crowd movement and safety. Everything has been put in place for the arrival of the Goddess Mothers.

Chief Priest Kokkera Krishnaiah, along with Mallyala Satyam, Siddaboina Muninder, Siddaboina Bakkanna, Kommu Swami and Kommu Janardhan, will bring Sammakka to the temple. Officials said the police rope-party trial run from Chilkalagutta to the temple premises has already been completed.