Asia's Largest Tribal Festival - Medharam Jathara, Here's All You Need To Know

Medharam Jathara is observed by the second-largest Tribal community of Telangana known as the Koya tribe. It is the second-largest fair in India and the largest in Asia that is observed for four consecutive days in the Mulugu district of Telangana.

Why Medharam Jathara is celebrated?

Medharam Jathara is celebrated honouring the Goddess Sammakka and her daughter Saralamma. A huge number of pilgrims from different villages and numerous tribes gathered together in Medaram of Telangana to celebrate the grand fair.

The fair is observed every year on the full moon day in the month of February (Magha) following certain important tribal rituals. This year the festival is observed from 16 February and will be continued till 19 February 2022.

During the four-day observance of the festival, more than three million devotees visit Saralamma and offer special pujas as a part of the Medaram Jathara.

Rituals of Medharam Jathara:

• The idols of the Goddesses were placed in a temple located in a small village near Medaram called Kennapalli.

• Priests performed scared puja or prayers during the morning hours of the day.

• The priest from the tribe of Koya also called Kaka Vaddes brings on the 1st-day insignia of Saralamma from the village and installed it on her platform in Maderam.

• Traditional music songs are played in the background while performing the rituals. The beats are played with cymbals, Doll, Akkum, bison horn blowing instrument called Thootha Kommu and others

• The tribal dance with massive processions of pilgrims begins that seeks blessings for children.

• During the evening hours of the day the insignia of Sammakka's husband Pagididda Raju – flag, Aderalu and Bandaru – is brought by from Punugondla village by Penka Vaddes.

• The insignia of the deities of Govindaraju, brother-in-law of Sammakka and Nagulamma, sister of Sammakka are also brought from the village Kondayi of Maderam by Dubbagatta Vaddes.

• Grand farewell of the Goddess is organized by performing 'Aarti'

• The idol is then taken to Medaram Gaddhe via a small canal called Jampanna Vaagu'.

• In Gaddhe people worship the Goddess Saralamma with special pujas and rituals.

Significance of Medharam Jathara:

• The main objective of the festival of Medaram Jathara is to bring awareness regarding the tribal cultures, heritage and festivals among people across the continent.

• The festival also maintains a harmonious relationship between the tribal communities of Telangana and millions of visitors.

The coverage of all events in the festival is supported by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The ministry also ensures the promotion and preservation of the several intriguing features of the Scheduled Tribes that belong from Telangana.

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