Hyderabad: The world-famous Medaram Sammakka–Saralamma Jathara began today at Medaram in Mulugu district. Lakhs of devotees gathered to seek the blessings of the vanadevatas.
Popularly known as the Telangana Kumbh Mela, the biennial tribal congregation marked the start of four days of rituals. These rituals follow deep-rooted Adivasi traditions. Meanwhile, devotees arrived from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Officials said the Medaram Jathara was not just a festival. Instead, it stood as a symbol of tribal self-respect and cultural identity.
At Medaram, the deities have no idols. Instead, devotees worship sacred gaddelu as divine abodes. Traditionally, rituals form the core of the jathara. These include jaggery offerings, turmeric and kumkum, animal sacrifice and bamboo platform worship.
Over time, this forest-based tradition gained national recognition. Today, it stands as a defining expression of tribal culture.
Medaram Sammakka–Saralamma Jathara rituals and arrangements
As part of the rituals, the priests this evening will bring Saralamma from Kannepalli. At the same time, they will bring Govindaraju from Kondaigudem and Pagididda Raju from Punugondla. This ritual formally marks the start of the jathara.
Subsequently, on Thursday evening, priests will bring Sammakka Thalli from Chilakalagutta to the gaddela. After that, devotees will begin offering vows.
Thereafter, devotees will offer prayers on January 30 and 31. Finally, the four-day jathara will conclude on January 31 evening. The conclusion will take place with the vanapravesham of all four deities.
Meanwhile, the Telangana government treated the Medaram Sammakka–Saralamma Jathara 2026 as a major exercise. Accordingly, officials estimated a turnout of nearly three crore devotees.
To ensure smooth conduct, the government involved 21 departments. At the same time, authorities divided the area into eight administrative zones and 42 sectors. In addition, they deployed 42,027 personnel for various duties.
For vehicle movement, officials created parking facilities at 42 locations. These facilities covered 1,418 acres. Moreover, the administration arranged drinking water, toilets, sanitation and medical services.
Meanwhile, TGSRTC operated about 4,000 buses for the jathara. Officials also said special services had been running for the past week.