On the occasion of the Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram, along with Union Minister for Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy, visited the Medaram shrine and offered prayers to Sammakka and Saralamma.
State Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka) and Adluri Laxman Kumar accorded a warm welcome to the Union Ministers at the main temple entrance. Amid traditional tribal drum beats, the Ministers were escorted into the temple, where special rituals were performed. They later offered niluvethu bangaram (gold offering- Jaggary is called as gold offering to deity), to the presiding deities and fulfilled their vows.
Addressing the media later, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said that the Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara is the largest tribal festival in the country and stands as the Maha Kumbh of vanavasi communities. He recalled visiting Medaram nearly 20 years ago and said he was pleased to be back again on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He stated that the Government of India is extending full support for the development of the region. Along with assistance for smooth conduct of the Jatara, special trains have been arranged for the convenience of devotees. He also noted that Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is an old colleague, recalling their association in Parliament.
A divine gathering beyond words
A breathtaking drone view of Medaram village during the sacred Medaram Jathara—where lakhs of devotees gather in faith, devotion, and tradition.Video Credits: @skycapture_by_rk#medaramjathara #medaram #SammakkaSaralamma #droneview pic.twitter.com/lBfQ21MOg6
— medaramjatharaofficial (@Medaramjathara) January 29, 2026
Highlighting Central Government initiatives for welfare for vanavasi’s, Jual Oram said that ₹1 lakh crore has been allocated under the Dharati Aaba Tribal Village Development Abhiyan, ₹24,000 crore is being spent under the PM JANMAN scheme, and 23 Ekalavya Model Residential Schools have been sanctioned for Telangana.
He recalled that a separate Ministry for Tribal Affairs was created during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and that he had the privilege of serving as its first Cabinet Minister. He emphasised that the Union Government honours the legacy and sacrifices of great tribal leaders like Bhagwan Birsa Munda, and accords due respect to festivals such as Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy said the Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara is the biggest festival of vanavasi communities, drawing lakhs of devotees from various states for nearly a month. He thanked State Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Seethakka and Adluri Laxman Kumar, along with officials, for their coordination and arrangements.
He said the Centre and State Governments are jointly undertaking development works in the region, with ₹80 crore allocated for tourism development at Mulugu, Laknavaram, Medaram, Tadvai and Bogatha Waterfalls, ₹140 crore sanctioned for the development of the Ramappa Temple, and ₹3.70 crore set aside this year for arrangements related to the Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara.
He further informed that a Central Tribal University named after Sammakka–Saralamma, with an outlay of ₹890 crore, is being established and works have already begun. The project will be formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister in due course.
The Union Ministers appreciated the efforts of the Telangana Government in providing basic facilities for the lakhs of devotees visiting the Jatara and thanked officials and media representatives for their dedicated services.
The Medaram fair, held once every two years on the occasion of Magha Pournami, has begun and attracts crores of devotees from across Telangana as well as neighbouring states such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. The 2026 Sammakka–Saralamma Mahajatara commenced on January 28 with the entry of Saralamma, Govindaraju, and Pagiddaraja into the shrine, and continued on January 29 with the arrival of Sammakka from Chilakalagutta. Devotees will offer prayers on January 30, while the festival will conclude on January 31 with the Vanapravesh ritual.
