Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday urged the Union government to grant national festival status and dedicated central funding to the Medaram Jatara. He said the event, widely known as Asia’s largest tribal gathering, deserves the same recognition and budgetary support as the Kumbh Mela.
Following a review of the development plan for the Sammakka-Saralamma temple premises in Medaram, the Chief Minister addressed a public meeting. During his speech, he unveiled a model for reconstructing the Gaddes (sacred platforms) and other key temple infrastructure.
“Rebuilding Gaddes is a sacred duty”
Describing the initiative as a personal and emotional milestone, Revanth Reddy stated, “My life is blessed with this opportunity. Since entering public life, I’ve always sought the blessings of Sammakka and Saralamma.”
In contrast, he criticised previous administrations for neglecting the temple. According to him, they treated its development as an afterthought and only implemented short-term measures. He also recalled starting his first political padayatra from this historic site.
“A people’s government for tribals”
Underscoring his government’s focus on tribal welfare, Revanth pointed to increased Indiramma housing allocations in ITDA regions. These adjustments came after tribal communities said the standard quotas were inadequate.
He assured the gathering that the temple project would face no funding hurdles. “We will use stone, not cement, so these structures last thousands of years. This is an investment in cultural legacy,” he said.
Weekly site visits and steady progress mandated
The Chief Minister instructed the district in-charge minister to visit the construction site every week for the next 100 days. He urged officials to treat the task with spiritual seriousness, likening it to the devotion shown while wearing the Sammakka-Saralamma mala.
Furthermore, Revanth called on tribal communities to actively participate in the effort. He directed teams to expedite work on the Gaddes, Jampanna Vagu, and all approach roads, ensuring completion before the next Jatara.
“Medaram deserves the status of Kumbh Mela”
Concluding his speech, Revanth Reddy made a firm appeal to the central government. He demanded that Medaram Jatara be officially recognised as a national festival. “If the Centre can spend thousands of crores on Kumbh Mela, it should allocate funds for Medaram Jatara as well,” he argued.
Among those present at the event were Ministers Seethakka, Konda Surekha, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Adluri Laxman Kumar, Advisor Vem Narender Reddy, as well as several tribal MPs, MLCs, and community representatives.
ఆసియాలోనే అతిపెద్ద ఆదివాసీ.. మేడారం జాతరకు జాతీయ పండుగ గుర్తింపు ఇవ్వాలని ముఖ్యమంత్రి శ్రీ @revanth_anumula గారు డిమాండ్ చేశారు. కుంభమేళా స్థాయిలో జరిగే ఈ మహాజాతరకు జాతీయ గుర్తింపునివ్వడమే కాకుండా కేంద్ర ప్రభుత్వం తగినన్ని నిధులను విడుదల చేయాలని కోరారు.
🛕వచ్చే ఏడాది ప్రారంభంలో… pic.twitter.com/4uXPwzn5gV
— Telangana CMO (@TelanganaCMO) September 23, 2025