Work on the ambitious Master Plan to modernize the sacred site of the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara — Asia's largest tribal festival — has hit a rough patch right from the start, with devotees expressing strong disappointment over visible construction defects. The Telangana government has been undertaking large-scale development at Medaram, a remote village in Mulugu district, to transform the tribal shrine into a grand, permanent spiritual hub. 

Inspired by historic Kakatiya-era architecture like the Ramappa temple and the Thousand Pillar Temple, the project features massive stone pillars and platforms (known as gaddelu) to house the deities Sammakka, Saralamma, and others. These structures are being built with intricately carved granite stones depicting Adivasi (tribal) culture, traditions, and symbols, aiming to last for decades — or even centuries — and better accommodate the millions of pilgrims who attend the biennial jatara.

However, during the ongoing installation of these stone elements, particularly around the welcome arch (swagata thorana) and salaram (processional path) near Sammakka's platform, several heavy stone pillars and blocks have developed cracks and chips. Workers using a large crane to position the specially sourced stones have reportedly failed to seat some properly, causing them to tilt or slip. On Thursday evening, one corner stone in the welcome structure gave way and fell after not being aligned correctly. 

Adjacent stones also showed minor cracks, raising concerns about the durability and aesthetic integrity of the massive artistic pillars. Devotees and local observers have sharply criticized the quality of workmanship, with many calling the early-stage mishaps a "complete flop" ("hamsapadu") and lamenting that the site's sanctity and heritage are being compromised. The pillars, carved from single large granite blocks and featuring tribal motifs, are losing their intended grandeur due to these damages.

Adding to the challenges, the swelling number of early-arriving devotees — ahead of the 2026 jatara scheduled for January 28–31 — is already creating logistical pressures and hindering smooth progress on the construction, according to reports from the site. The Master Plan, backed by significant funding and oversight from senior ministers, aims to provide long-term facilities for up to a crore or more pilgrims, including improved roads, permanent structures, and cultural elements. 

Officials have repeatedly emphasized high-quality standards and timely completion, with recent inspections by the District Collector urging contractors to avoid any errors in the stone pillar installations. As the government pushes to complete key elements before the massive influx of devotees, these early setbacks have fueled calls for stricter supervision and corrective measures to preserve the project's vision of honoring tribal heritage while ensuring safety and beauty at this revered forest shrine.