Anticipating heavy rush during the jatara days, people in large numbers started thronging the altar of Sammakka-Sarakka jatara in Medaram village here.
On an average 40,000 pilgrims are arriving here and the figure was crossing 1 lakh on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. APSRTC officials said they were operating 100 buses per day though they initially planned to run the services from February 9.
The actual jatara is scheduled from February 12 to 15. On the first day, tribal deity Sarakka arrives at the altar and on the next day, deity Sammakka arrives. On February 14, both the deities will adorn the altar when the rush of pilgrims is expected to peak. On February 15, the deities would retreat into the forest.
Woes of pligrimsAs the ongoing civil works were yet to be completed, those arriving early were experiencing difficulties at the Medaram village.
When contacted, DPRO K. Venkata Ramana said work on the temporary latrines was yet to be completed while the installation of drinking water taps was completed .
“The toilets will be ready two days before the jatara. They were meant for actual rush during those four days of jatara. The district administration is erecting 250 batters of taps and 10,000 toilets spread around three to four kilometres of Medaram village,” he said.
However, pilgrims were not happy with the facilities available and say the release of Rs. 100 crore did not show much impact even as the jatara was round the corner.
District Collector G. Kishan has been asking the officials to reach the Medaram village two days before the jatara begins and stay put till it was over.
