Hyderabad: The Central Government has released ₹3.70 crore for the upcoming Medaram Jathara, Asia’s largest tribal festival. The festival is scheduled to take place from January 28 to 31.
Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy facilitated the release of the funds. These funds were sanctioned jointly by the Union Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Centre boosts tribal tourism and infrastructure in Telangana
The Medaram Jathara, also known as the Tribal Kumbh Mela, draws lakhs of devotees every two years. In addition to the newly released funds, the Centre had earlier sanctioned an ₹80 crore Tribal Circuit project. This project will develop tourism infrastructure across Medaram and nearby sites such as Mulugu, Laknavaram, Tadwai, Damaravai, Mallur, and Bogatha Waterfalls.
Further, ₹140 crore is being invested in the development of the Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the region.
To facilitate pilgrim movement, the South Central Railway is operating 30 special trains during the four-day festival period.