Medaram Jatara Begins with Grand Devotion as Lakhs Throng Telangana’s Tribal Kumbh Mela!

The Telangana Kumbh Mela at Medaram witnessed an overwhelming turnout on Wednesday as lakhs of devotees gathered to witness the historic tribal festival. On the first day of the Vanajatra, Saralamma was ceremoniously invited to the Gaddelu shrine amid devotional chants and cultural fervour. Devotees arrived with families in bullock carts, buses and private vehicles from across the state and beyond. Special rituals were performed at the Kannepalli temple, located 3.5 kilometres from Medaram, under the supervision of chief priest Kaka Sarayya. The atmosphere turned vibrant as tribal women decorated the premises with colourful rangolis and traditional music echoed through the forest paths.

At around 7:40 pm, Saralamma was taken out of the Kannepalli temple in a bamboo basket, as devotees offered vows and performed rituals with deep emotion. Tribal dancers, blowing traditional horns, accompanied the procession, while ministers and officials joined in devotion. The deity crossed Jampanna Vagu before reaching the Sammakka temple at Medaram, where special pujas were conducted along with Pagididda Raju and Govinda Raju. After a ceremonial welcome, all three deities were seated on the Gaddelu past midnight. Tight security was arranged with 13,000 police personnel under IG Chandrasekhar Reddy, while nearly 40,000 staff from 21 departments were deployed across 42 sectors. Massive crowds, thousands of vehicles, packed parking zones and long queues marked a powerful beginning to the world-famous tribal festival.