Revanth Reddy demands national status, Central funds for Medaram Jatara

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy urged the Centre to declare Medaram’s Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara a national festival. He unveiled redevelopment plans and promised expansion would finish before the 2025 Maha Jatara. The government will preserve tribal traditions and support the temple’s renovation

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday demanded that the Centre accord national festival status to the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara at Medaram, which is popular as the tribal Kumbh Mela of India. He questioned why the union government allocates thousands of crores for the Kumbh Mela but fails to extend similar support to the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, which draws lakhs of devotees from India and abroad.

Addressing a public meeting after unveiling designs for the redevelopment of Sammakka-Saralamma Gaddelu (platforms), the Chief Minister said the State would complete expansion works before the Maha Jatara scheduled from January 28 to 31 next year. He asked the officials to work round-the-clock and complete the redevelopment works within the next 100 days. He promised no inconvenience to devotees.

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Revanth Reddy announced that the government is ready to sanction necessary funds for temple re-development, with the participation of tribals, priests and locals. He stressed that stone structures would preserve history for future generations and instructed officials to execute works with devotion and in consultation with locals.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the temple site, reviewed expansion plans with officials and sought feedback from priests and tribal representatives. He assured that tribal culture, beliefs and traditions would be respected in every phase of development.