Medaram Jatara Begins: 'Gudi Melige Panduga' Marks Start of Asia's Largest Tribal Festival

• The Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma Mahajatara, Asia's largest tribal festival, officially commenced with the 'Gudi Melige Panduga' ceremony.
• Gudi Melige Panduga is a traditional purification ceremony performed 15 days before the main Jatara, signifying its beginning.
• Priests and their families collected hill grass and termite mound soil from the forest to plaster and decorate the temples, following ancient customs.
• Approximately 50,000 devotees visited Medaram on the first day, with large crowds expected due to Sankranti holidays and the upcoming main event.
• Devotees from Telugu states, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra are participating, offering jaggery, turmeric, and fulfilling vows after holy dips in Jampanna Vagu.

Why It Matters: Asia's largest tribal festival, Medaram Jatara, has officially begun with the traditional 'Gudi Melige Panduga'.