In the lead-up to the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, set to take place from January 28 to 31 in Medaram, Telangana, the state government has made substantial arrangements for Asia’s largest tribal festival. The event is expected to draw over 1.5 crore devotees to the region.
In an unprecedented financial commitment, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has allocated Rs 251 crore for this year’s Jatara, with a record Rs 100 crore earmarked for the development of the Sammakka and Saralamma shrines. The construction was completed in record time to ensure the structures will endure for another century, and were formally dedicated to the nation by the Chief Minister and his cabinet on January 19.
To manage the massive crowds, Medaram has been divided into eight administrative zones and 42 sectors, with district-level officers overseeing each zone, and Mandal-level officers in charge of individual sectors. Zone 1, which includes the Temple-Chilakalagattu area, houses the Master Control Room, protocol office, and emergency response teams. Subsequent zones are responsible for bus alighting points, staff accommodation, and shuttle services across areas like Kothur and Narlapur.
The operation involves 21 government departments and a workforce of 50,000 personnel, including 32,000 staff members dedicated to the four peak festival days, supported by 2,000 NSS and tribal youth volunteers. Communications have been significantly strengthened for the influx of visitors; providers like BSNL, Airtel, and Jio have installed 27 permanent cell towers, 33 mobile towers on wheels, and 450 VHF sets to ensure seamless network coverage throughout the event.
Statistical estimates suggest that devotees arrive in phases, with approximately 35% visiting before the official start, and 65% during the festival.
