80 lakh devotees had visited so far Medaram Jatara, which is known as the South Indian Kumbh Mela

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The four-day 'Maha Jathara' of tribal goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma, dubbed as one of the largest Adivasi spiritual congregations in the world, got underway at Medaram in this district. An estimated three crore devotees are expected to attend the biennial 'Maha Jathara' this year, official sources said. The tribal priests was installed deities Saralamma, Govindaraju and Pagididdaraju at the 'gaddelu' (altars) on Wednesday night as per traditions.

The devotees took holy bath in the rivulet Jampanna Vagu at Medaram. They performed worship by making idols of deities with sand collected in the rivulet. A devotional atmosphere pervaded the 'Maha Jathara' site as some women devotees were "possessed" by the goddesses. The devotees carried jaggery for offering to the deities.

Observing that the number of devotees visiting the Maha Jathara has increased substantially over the years, state Panchayat Raj Minister D Anasuya Seethakka said about 20 lakh people are estimated to have visited Medaram during the last several days.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for the 'Maha Jathara' that began about six months ago. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on January 19 inaugurated the renovated shrine of goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma. The state government reconstructed the altar of the tribal deities Sammakka, Saralamma, Govindaraju and Pagididda Raju, spending about Rs 101 crore. It undertook development works with Rs 150 crore for the convenience of devotees visiting the 'Maha Jathara' 2026.

As many as 21 government departments and about 42,000 personnel are involved in organising the festival, including arrival and departure of devotees, provision of basic facilities, security, cleanliness and medical facilities. The government has also organised medical camps, ambulances and bike ambulances to attend to medical emergencies during the festival. Making use of digital technology, the state government has launched an official website, a mobile application and a Whatsapp chatbot for the convenience of devotees. The 'Maha Jathara' is celebrated in Medaram during the time the goddesses of the tribals is believed to visit them. Medaram is a remote place in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Dandakaranya, the largest surviving forest belt in Mulugu. The 'Jathara' commemorates the revolt led by the mother-daughter duo of Sammakka and Saralamma against imposition of taxes on the tribal populace during a period of drought by the Kakatiya rulers in the 12th century.

Ministers ride bikes, ensure safety arrangements

Minister for Tribal Welfare Adluri Laxman Kumar conducted an extensive field visit in Medaram on Thursday. Aimed at providing better facilities to the devotees during the grand festival, which is a symbol of the self-respect of the tribal people, Adluri Laxman personally inspected the arrangements for the festival while being among the devotees.

Later, Minister Adluri Laxman, along with Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy toured the area from the Jampanna Vagu to the main festival grounds and reviewed key aspects such as drinking water, sanitation, medical services, security, and walkways with the officials.

The Ministers personally rode the bikes, touring every street and lane. Breaking through the barriers of protocol, they mingled with the devotees like a common man. They inquired firsthand about the facilities being provided to the devotees at the Jampanna stream. They issued clear instructions to the concerned officials to take immediate action wherever necessary.

Telangana urges Centre to declare Medaram Jatara as national festival

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The Telangana government has urged the Union government to declare the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara as the national festival.

Telangana Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Seethakka, and Adluri Laxman presented a formal request to Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, and Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, during their visit to the Sammakka-Saralamma Temple in the Mulugu district on Thursday. The Ministers sought the recognition of the Medaram Jatara as a national festival. Speaking on the occasion, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy stated that this is the second Sammakka–Sarakka Jatara being held after the formation of the people’s government in Telangana.

Speaking on the occasion, Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Women & Child Welfare Minister Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka) said that as per the directions of the Chief Minister, temple development works and essential infrastructure were completed within a short span of 90 days under the supervision of the in-charge Minister. She said that while the Jatara is usually held for four days, extensive arrangements have been made this time keeping in view the unprecedented influx of devotees.