Medaram Jatara: Beware of Price Gouging! Buy Essentials Before You Go

• Medaram Maha Jatara sees booming sales, but traders are exploiting devotees with exorbitant prices on offerings and essentials.
• Devotees offer "ettu bangaram" (jaggery equivalent to one's weight), sarees, turmeric, kumkum, and bangles to goddesses after a holy dip in Jampanna Vagu.
• Items like coconuts (Rs. 30 normally, now Rs. 50-70), large jaggery lumps (Rs. 70 normally, now Rs. 100), and water bottles (Rs. 20 normally, now Rs. 30) are significantly overpriced.
• Devotees like Rajesham and Nagarjuna express concern over the inflated prices, noting a significant increase compared to previous years.
• Visitors are advised to purchase jaggery and coconuts in advance to avoid overpaying at the fair.

Why It Matters: Medaram Jatara visitors face severe price gouging; buying essentials beforehand is highly recommended.