Medaram is buzzing with anticipation as the Sammakka-Saralamma Adivasi Jatara draws closer. This isn’t just any festival—it’s the largest tribal gathering in Asia, and Medaram village is at the heart of it all. From January 28 to 31, 2026, more than a crore devotees will stream in from Telangana and neighboring states, paying homage to Sammakka and her daughter Saralamma, who stand as legendary protectors and ancestors for the community. Lakhs of Adivasi devotees from Telangana, Andhra, Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu states will take part in this folk festival.

Grand Infrastructure and Cultural Legacy

The Telangana government has gone all in this year, rolling out the most ambitious development plan the Jatara has seen. They’ve set aside Rs 260 crore for the festival—Rs 110 crore alone is going into permanent temple structures and infrastructure, while the rest will cover festival arrangements to make things safer and smoother for pilgrims. For the first time, permanent stone altars—gaddelu—for Sammakka, Saralamma, Pagididdiraju, and Govindaraju are taking shape long before the crowds arrive. These new platforms are built to handle the surge of devotees, replacing the makeshift setups of years past. All this investment—roads, sanitation, drinking water, electrification—is about more than just this year’s event. Leaders want Medaram to stand out as a spiritual and cultural landmark for years to come.

Comprehensive Arrangements for Devotees

With lakhs of devotees set to arrive weeks before the main celebration, officials are racing to tie up every loose end. The Health Department has set up three hospitals and scattered 72 medical camps across the area and along the main routes in. Medical teams will be on call around the clock, keeping a close eye on public health from the moment pilgrims set out until they reach home again. Police and district officials are deep into logistics and security plans. They say about 85% of preparations are done, and they’re pushing hard to wrap up the rest well before January.

The Heartbeat of Telangana

Leaders from the government haven’t held back on praise, calling the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara “the heartbeat of Telangana.” For them, this is more than a religious festival—it’s a powerful symbol of state identity, tribal pride, and living heritage. Tribal leaders echo that sentiment, making it clear that every new development honors traditional practices. The goal is to blend tribal customs with modern infrastructure, so the spirit of the Jatara thrives even as Medaram grows.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

At its core, the Jatara is a tribute to courage and sacrifice. Sammakka and Saralamma, who stood their ground against oppression centuries ago, still inspire both Adivasi and non-tribal devotees. The festival isn’t just a religious event; for tribal families, it’s a deep connection to their roots—a time when indigenous identity and spiritual tradition come alive in ways you don’t see anywhere else.