Revanth Reddy made an on-field inspection on Tuesday

In a pointed appeal to the Centre, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy demanded national festival status for Medaram Jatara, India's largest tribal congregation, akin to a "Tribal Kumbh Mela." "The Centre pours thousands of crores into Kumbh Mela—why indifference to Medaram? Allocate funds for the coming 2026 Jatara on a grand scale; recognize its cultural significance," he urged, vowing state readiness to match contributions. "Previous rulers neglected it; we will make it a beacon of tribal pride with stone structures as eternal witnesses."

During his visit to the revered Sammakka Saralamma Temple in Medaram, Mulugu district on Tuesday, the Chief Minister, accompanied by Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Konda Surekha, Seethakka, Adluri Lakshman, Advisor Vem Narender Reddy, MPs Balram Naik and Kadiyam Kavya, local MLAs, MLCs, corporation chairpersons, temple priests, and senior officials, reviewed temple expansion plans and offered prayers. Demonstrating deep devotion, CM Revanth Reddy, weighing 68 kg, performed the Tulabharam ritual, offering gold equivalent to his weight to the deities, whom he credits for inspiring Telangana’s people’s government. "Since my days as an MLA, I’ve visited this shrine. On February 6, 2023, I launched my padayatra from this sacred ground, blessed by Sammakka and Saralamma," he shared.

The CM conducted an on-site inspection of the temple’s development projects, emphasizing eco-friendly expansion keeping spiritual aspects in mind. "Protect every tree while advancing construction. Use stone structures to withstand nature’s vagaries, blending the temple with its forest setting," he directed officials, mandating completion within 100 days for the January 2026 Mahajatara. A dedicated team was appointed to oversee progress, with instructions for round-the-clock work to ensure pilgrim convenience. He also tasked the Irrigation Department with building check dams to ensure water storage in Jampanna Vagu, enhancing local sustainability.

In a review meeting with priests and tribal representatives, officials presented detailed plans for "Gaddhelu" reconstruction and precinct renewal. The CM sought feedback, assuring, "Tribal culture, traditions, and faiths will guide development. This is about faith, not money." Priests and tribal groups endorsed the plans, raising cultural preservation concerns, which the CM pledged to incorporate. He honored the priests, calling their role and the community’s involvement a "life-blessing opportunity" to preserve tribal resistance history for future generations.

Addressing a public gathering, CM Revanth Reddy blended emotion with resolve: "This is a responsibility and an emotion. Tribals are India’s original inhabitants; our government prioritizes their welfare through Indiramma houses in ITDA areas and inclusive schemes." He criticized the previous BRS regime’s decade-long neglect of the temple, vowing to elevate the Jatara globally. Releasing redesigned "Gaddhelu" plans, he assured unlimited state funding and local collaboration, urging officials to work with devotion, "like the goddesses’ garland." "I’ll return for the Jatara; let’s make it grand," he declared.