MEDARAM, JANUARY 28, 2026: The Biennial Samakka-Sarakka jatara of tribal deities got off to a colourful and religious start in Medaram village of Tadwai mandal in Mulugu district on Wednesday.
The festivities began with the installation of one of the main tribal deities, Saralamma (Sarakka,) on the altar (gadde) in adherence to the centuries-old Koya tribal traditions.
The event marks the commencement of the biennial Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, which is said to be Asia’s biggest tribal congregation, from January 28 to 31. Saralamma was brought to the Gadde in a procession amidst tight police security from Kannepally village, three km away from Medaram, by Koya priests wearing red headgear after performing prayers at the temple. The procession was led by a priest carrying a flag bearing the image of Lord Hanuman.
The four-day festival will continue, with the state government estimating that around three crore devotees will attend from Telangana and neighbouring states, including Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Spiritual rituals commenced around 6 pm on the first day, marking the formal start of the Jatara. Saralamma was ceremonially brought from Kannepalli to the altar at Medaram, while Govindarajulu from Kondai and Pagididdaraju from Punugondla were also installed at their respective altars. The festival is set to reach its peak on Thursday evening, when Mother Sammakka is scheduled to arrive from Chilakalagutta in the form of a vermilion casket.
Although the official inauguration took place on Wednesday, the Medaram area has been witnessing heavy crowds for over a week. Thousands of devotees have been taking holy dips in the Jampanna stream and offering prayers. On Wednesday morning, the influx of vehicles led to traffic congestion stretching nearly four kilometres, prompting police intervention to regulate movement.
Treating the event as a matter of prestige, the Telangana government has made extensive arrangements. A total of 42,027 personnel from 21 departments have been deployed. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation is operating 4,000 special buses, while 42 parking areas spread across 1,418 acres have been set up. The fairgrounds have been divided into eight administrative zones and 42 sectors for effective monitoring.
On January 30 and 31, devotees are expected to offer large quantities of jaggery—symbolising gold—as part of their vows. The grand festival will conclude on January 31 at 6 pm, when the deities are ceremonially returned to the forest.
