Congress Breathes New Life into Medaram Jathara, CM Revant Reddy Takes Cabinet to Tribal Heartland

Telangana: Medaram Jathara, also known as Sammakka Saralamma Jatara — one of the world’s largest tribal congregations — is witnessing renewed attention and unprecedented government focus under the Congress regime, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach towards tribal heritage and cultural preservation.

Held once every two years in Medaram village of Mulugu district, the four-day festival honours the tribal goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma and draws tens of millions of devotees from Telangana and across the country. Rooted deeply in Koya tribal traditions, the Jathara is conducted entirely according to indigenous customs, free from Vedic or Brahmanical rituals, making it a rare and powerful symbol of grassroots spirituality.

Devotees offer jaggery — reverentially called “bangaram” — equivalent to their body weight and take a holy dip in the Jampanna Vagu stream, believed to hold both spiritual and historical significance. After the Kumbh Mela, Medaram Jathara is regarded as one of India’s largest religious gatherings.

Sammakka–Saralamma: Symbols of Tribal Resistance

Beyond faith, Sammakka and Saralamma are revered as tribal heroes who resisted oppression during the Kakatiya period in the 12th–13th century. According to legend, Sammakka, along with her daughter Saralamma, fought against unjust taxation, exploitation of forest produce, and violations of tribal autonomy. Their struggle has come to embody dignity, resistance, and self-assertion of marginalised communities, elevating them from historical figures to revered goddesses.

Unlike many major religious festivals dominated by hierarchical structures, Medaram remains a celebration of the common people, where social and economic barriers dissolve in collective devotion.

Alleged Neglect During BRS Regime

The Medaram Jathara, despite its massive scale and cultural importance, allegedly suffered neglect during the previous BRS government. Infrastructure development and pilgrim facilities were limited, with government spending reportedly capped at around ₹75 crore for earlier editions, falling short of the event’s logistical demands.

Congress Government’s Massive Revival Plan

Since assuming office in December 2023, the Congress government has made Medaram Jathara a priority. For the 2026 festival, the state has earmarked approximately ₹260 crore — including ₹150 crore for organising the Jathara and ₹110 crore for permanent temple construction.

Additionally, a comprehensive ₹300 crore Medaram development package has been launched, covering four-lane roads over 10 km, beautification projects, tribal cultural installations, expanded ghats, and improved pilgrim amenities.

World-Class Infrastructure with Tribal Sensitivity

The government has initiated long-term development plans focusing on sanitation, drinking water, electricity, crowd management, and road connectivity, while ensuring tribal traditions remain untouched. A structured 100-day action plan is being implemented using traditional materials and designs that respect tribal sentiments.

Healthcare and safety measures have also been significantly strengthened. A 50-bed hospital, medical camps, and emergency response units are being readied to handle the massive influx of pilgrims during the 2026 Jathara.

Cabinet Meets at Medaram

In a symbolic and unprecedented move, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy convened a full Cabinet meeting at Medaram on January 18, underlining the government’s commitment to tribal areas. With this decision, the entire state administration turned its focus towards Medaram, reinforcing the political and cultural importance of the Jathara.

The Congress leadership has also renewed demands to grant Medaram Jathara national festival status, seeking central recognition and funding on par with the Kumbh Mela.