Medaram Maha Jathara Begins in Telangana: Tribal Goddesses Festival Draws Millions

• The four-day 'Medaram Maha Jathara', a major tribal spiritual congregation for goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma, has commenced in Medaram, Mulugu district, Telangana.
• Approximately three crore devotees are expected to attend this biennial festival, with 20 lakh already visiting in preceding days.
• Tribal priests installed deities Saralamma, Govindaraju, and Pagididdaraju; Goddess Sammakka will be installed on January 29.
• Devotees perform rituals like holy baths in Jampanna Vagu and offer jaggery; Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram is scheduled to visit.
• Telangana government invested Rs 101 crore in renovating the shrine and Rs 150 crore for 2026 development, with 21 departments and 42,000 personnel managing the event.

Why It Matters: Telangana's Medaram Maha Jathara, a massive tribal festival, is underway with millions of devotees expected.