Medaram Jatara 2026 dates announced, festival scheduled from January 28 to 31

Hyderabad: The dates for the 2026 Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, considered Asia’s largest tribal fair, have been officially announced. The four-day festival will be held from January 28 to 31, 2026, at Medaram Village in S.S. Tadvai Mandal, Mulugu District, Telangana.

The schedule was finalized by the Pujari Association and conveyed to the Executive Officer of the Jatara. The event will begin on January 28 (Wednesday) with the arrival of the tribal goddess Saralamma at the Gadde (sacred altar) at 6:00 p.m., accompanied by Govinda Raju and Pagididda Raju.

On January 29 (Thursday), goddess Sammakka will arrive at the Gadde at 6:00 p.m. January 30 (Friday) will be marked by devotees offering prayers and fulfilling vows (Mokubadulu).

The Jatara will conclude on January 31 (Saturday), when Sammakka and Saralamma, along with Govinda Raju and Pagididda Raju, return to the forest (Vanapravesham) at 6:00 p.m.

The decision was taken jointly by members of the Pujari Association. A formal resolution was issued by the Association’s president, Siddaboyina Jagga Rao.

Sammakka Saralamma Jatara also known as Sammakka Sarakka Jatara or Medaram Jatara, is held in honour of the tribal goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma. The event is organized entirely by Koya tribe priests in accordance with their customs. Devotees offer Bellam (jaggery), locally referred to as Bangaram, to the deities.

Until 1955, the Jatara drew around 2,000 people, most of whom belonged to the Koya tribe. In recent years, attendance has grown significantly, with over 1.3 crore pilgrims participating, though the Koya community now makes up just 2% of the total devotees.

Medaram is located in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the Dandakaranya forest belt. The Jatara is held during the time the tribal goddesses are believed to visit their devotees. After the Kumbh Mela, it is considered one of the largest religious gatherings in the country.