Medaram: The Telangana government has initiated extensive preparations for the Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, Asia’s largest tribal festival, held once every two years. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is personally overseeing the arrangements, which include reviewing the festival layout and unveiling new plans for the sacred areas around the Sammakka and Saralamma hills. State ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Seethakka, and Konda Surekha will accompany the CM, while the Mulugu district administration, led by Collector Divakar T.S., coordinates the extensive arrangements. Security measures involving around 1,000 personnel have also been put in place under SP Shabarish’s supervision.
For the first time, the government is implementing permanent infrastructure upgrades at Medaram, replacing temporary arrangements used in previous jatras. The Rs. 150-crore development plan includes widening roads, installing central lighting, granite paving around the hills, and creating facilities to manage large crowds. Tourist locations such as Ramappa, Laknavaram, and Medaram will be enhanced to highlight their cultural and artistic significance. Devotees will also benefit from improved access routes and additional amenities along the main path from Jumpanna Vagu to the temple complex.
The Chief Minister is scheduled to travel from Hyderabad’s Begumpet by special helicopter at 10:45 AM, arriving in Medaram at 12:00 PM. He will meet with priests and review the master plan digitally from 12:15 PM to 1:30 PM, followed by a meeting with senior officials from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. The CM will return to Hyderabad by 2:30 PM, completing the one-day inspection of the Jatara preparations and infrastructure projects.