Sammakka set to arrive at Medaram Shrine on Thursday; Union Minister urged to declare Jatara as national festival

Anticipating the number of devotees at Medaram tribal shrine would swell further on Thursday (January 29, 2026) as Mother Sammakka is set to arrive in the form of a vermilion casket from Chilakalgutta, Mulugu district administration has geared up by making arrangements.

The number of devotees started to increase after the tribal deity Saralamma arrived at the shrine close to Wednesday midnight and was installed on the newly developed gaddelu (sacred platform). This marked the commencement of the Sammakka-Saralamma Maha Jatara scheduled to be held from January 28 to 31. Prior to this, Pagididdaraju and Govindaraju were installed on their respective gaddelu. 

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy along with the district Collector T.S. Divakara on Thursday inspected the preparations at the Jatara and Jampannavagu rivulet – where the devotees would take holy bath. They toured on a bike to check the preparations.

Meanwhile, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Ual Oram and Union Coals and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy visited the tribal shrine on Thursday. Telangana Ministers Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka), Adluri Laxman Kumar and Mr. Srinivasa Reddy received them. 

They submitted a representation to Mr. Kishan Reddy urging the Medaram Jatara to be declared as a national festival. Telangana Government has already recognised the biennial Jatara as a State festival and declared a holiday in Mulugu district on Friday.