In a noble expression of compassion and commitment to tribal upliftment, the Vanavasi Kalyan Parishad Telangana organised a mass wedding ceremony for 108 Chenchu tribal couples from around 40 villages in the Nallamalla forest region. The event, held at Chandra Reddy Gardens in Achampet, was graced by Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Justice Madhavi Latha Reddy of the Telangana High Court, former Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya and Aditya Parashree Swami, Peethadhipathi of Ambatreya Kshetra, Narayanpet district, who jointly blessed the newly-wed couples.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Varma underscored that family values have been the lifeblood of Sanatana Dharma and the essence of Bharatiya identity for thousands of years. The ceremony, aimed at supporting impoverished Chenchu families, also reflected the Parishad’s continued commitment to education, healthcare, and cultural preservation among tribal communities.
He said he was delighted to attend the weddings of the Chenchu tribal community the people who form the very roots of Sanatana Dharma and added that Bharat’s culture is one of the most ancient in the world. Conducting weddings for 108 couples at once under the auspices of Vanavasi Kalyan Parishad, he said, was a great social service. He praised the Parishad for undertaking various service activities across the country and expressed hope that these efforts would further expand in the future.
The Hon’ble Governor of Telangana,Sri Jishnu Dev Varma, as the Chief Guest attended the “Samoohika Vivaha Mahotsavam” https://t.co/N6QBy4UvD1 the Vanavasi Kalyana Parishad at Achampet, Nagarkurnool District. The event marked the solemnization of marriages of 108 poor Chenchu… pic.twitter.com/dugjJvr7sU
— Governor of Telangana (@tg_governor) October 26, 2025
Calling the initiative highly commendable, the Governor noted that organizing such weddings for economically and socially disadvantaged Chenchu tribes was an act of true service to society.
Former Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, who also attended the event, expressed happiness that the traditional mass weddings of Chenchus in the Nallamala region were being celebrated on such a large scale. He said he felt fortunate to participate and blessed the newlyweds to lead happy and prosperous lives while upholding family values.
Justice Madhavi Latha Reddy of the Telangana High Court said she felt deeply emotional to attend because she hails from this region from Udimiḷḷa village of Peddar Mandal and considers the Chenchus her own children. “I have no daughters of my own, so I see all the Chenchu brides here as my own daughters,” she said, urging them to approach her if they ever face difficulties. She promised to attend all future programs organized by Vanavasi Kalyan Parishad.
Aditya Parashree Swami, the Peethadhipathi of Ambatreya Kshetra in Narayanpet district, blessed the newlyweds, saying that with the blessings of the Divine Mother, they would live happily and prosperously. He exhorted them never to forsake Dharma, which he described as the very foundation of the marital bond.
Surekha, a member of the Gosamvardhana Committee of Nagarkurnool district, said attending and blessing the Chenchu weddings felt as sacred as standing in the presence of Bhagwan Shiva and Parvati, the first divine couple. She said the Chenchus, as forest dwellers, are the true preservers of Bharat’s Sanatana Dharma and culture.
She urged everyone to uphold family-centered values and teach the next generation the importance of family life. She advised parents to inculcate ideals of service, culture, and righteousness in their children by introducing them to the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana.
Due to extreme poverty, many Chenchu tribals had long been unable to get married. In 2021, a mass wedding was organised for 144 couples to help them begin their new lives with dignity. Continuing this noble effort, Vanavasi Kalyan Parishad recently organised another mass wedding ceremony for 108 Chenchu couples, bringing together families from 40 villages across the Nallamala region.
Attendees such as Atti Nandini from Sarlapalli village in Amrabad Mandal said it was a matter of great fortune that eminent personalities like the Governor of Telangana Jishnu Dev Varma, former Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Aditya Parashree Swami, and High Court Judge Madhavi Latha attended and blessed the Chenchu couples. She also expressed heartfelt appreciation for the Vanavasi Kalyan Parishad for organizing the event so beautifully.
Similarly, Mallamma from Maddimadugu village said that being blessed by so many eminent guests and witnessing such a grand celebration made her feel both joyful and fortunate. “Even if we had held our weddings in our villages, we could never have celebrated them on such a magnificent scale or amidst such a large gathering,” she said with happiness.
The Chenchu tribals residing across 100 colonies in the Nallamala hills continue to remain among the most backward communities. Even after 77 years of Independence, they still lack access to proper housing, education, and healthcare facilities, leaving them in a state of persistent deprivation. Many members of the community are reported to die at a very young age due to these hardships.
To support their development, both the government and voluntary organisations like Vanavasi Kalyan Parishad have been actively working in the region. For over 35 years, the Parishad has been running student hostels, single-teacher schools, satsang programmes, and health centres, among several other welfare initiatives.
In addition to these efforts, the organisation has also been constructing temples in the villages, fostering a sense of spiritual awareness and religious harmony among the people.
In the Telangana region, there are 32 lakh tribal people, belonging to 18 different tribes. Around Bhadrachalam, tribes such as Koyas, Konda Reddys, and Gothi Koyas live, while in Adilabad, tribes like Gonds, Pradhans, Mannewars, Thoti, and Naikpod reside. Those living around the Srisailam and Nallamala hills are known as Chenchu tribals.
