The much awaited four-day tribal festival of Sammakka-Saralakka will take off at the tiny forest village of Medaram in Warangal district tonight amid the presence of multitude of tribals.

Already lakhs of devotees have arrived at Medaram to witness the grand procession of brining the Saralamma deity from Chilukalagutta by tribal priest Mahesh and his team. The deity will be placed on the special platforms meant for the purpose. The deity of Sammakka will be brought on Feb 9, the auspicious day of Magha Purnima and placed along side that of Saralakka.

The tribal jamboree will end on Feb 11 when the priests will take back the deities of Sammakka and Saralakka to their original place of hillocks at Chilukalagutta.

The state government has deployed 8000 policemen who have been guarding security along the borders of Eturunagaram and Tadwai forest mandals. Government has ordered high security measures and strict vigil after reports indicated that Maoists may infiltrate the sea of tribals to cause trouble during the festival.

The RTC has been operating nearly 3100 buses to provide transport facilities to the tribals visiting the festival. The state government has announced it has spent Rs.60 Cr to provide various facilities to the visiting devotees and tribals at the festival. (JUBS)