Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the State government would organise the biennial Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, billed as Asia’s largest tribal congregation, on the lines of the Kumbh Mela.
Addressing a cultural event near the Sammakka-Saralamma shrine at Medaram after chairing a Cabinet meeting on Sunday, the Chief Minister said the development works at the Medaram Gaddelu and the Sammakka–Saralamma tribal shrine had been completed with all necessary facilities and were dedicated to the public. He said the works, including stone structures and basic infrastructure, were completed within 100 days ahead of the festival, adding that the renovated shrine will be inaugurated on Monday (January 19).
Mr. Revanth Reddy described the Medaram Jatara as a historic event symbolising courage transformed into divinity and noted that it was Telangana’s largest tribal festival, marked by the worship of deities without a temple structure.
Calling it his good fortune to be associated with the development of Medaram, Mr. Revanth Reddy said arrangements were being made to ensure a continuous flow of water in the Jampanna Vagu by diverting water from the Ramappa and Laknavaram reservoirs.
In a first, the State Cabinet met at Medaram, outside Hyderabad, on Sunday and passed several resolutions. The Chief Minister recalled the legacy of Sammakka and Saralamma, who led a revolt against the Kakatiya rulers, and said the festival stood as a reminder of their resistance and sacrifice.
The Chief Minister also referred to his padayatra that began from Medaram on February 6, 2023, stating that it was undertaken with a resolve to dislodge the then Bharat Rashtra Samithi government. He said the Congress came to power with the blessings of the goddesses.
Published – January 18, 2026 11:31 pm IST
