Asia’s Largest Tribal Festival begins with traditional fervour in Telangana

It is a tribal festival that attracts people from all over the world. Organised once in two years and known as "Medaram Jathara", it has a special significance as it is Asia’s largest tribal festival. After India’s biggest gathering which is the Kumbh fair, "Medaram Jathara" witnesses the second largest gathering of tribal people.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs plays a crucial role in organising it as it provides all sorts of support along with the state government. As this festival has started on February 18, a huge gathering of the tribal population have come out to perform their religious rituals.

“The celebrations of the First Day of the auspicious and much-awaited biennial "Medaram Jathara" commenced on the 16th of February 2022 as the arrival of Saralamma on to the ‘Medaram Gaddhe’ (Platform) was undertaken by the Koya Tribe of Telangana,” Ministry of Tribal Affairs informed.

It further said, “Medaram Jatara is the second-largest fair of India, after the Kumbh Mela, celebrated by the second-largest Tribal Community of Telangana- the Koya tribe for four days. As the largest tribal fair in Asia, Medaram Jathara is conducted in honour of the Goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma. It is celebrated once in two years in the month of 'Magha' (February) on the full moon day. Saralamma was the daughter of Sammakka. Her idol, according to the rituals, is installed in a temple at Kannepalli, a small village near Medaram.”

The Tribal Ministry further informed that In the early hours of the day, Pujaris (Priests) performed sacred pujas. “The traditional Koya priests (Kaka Vaddes) bring, on the first day, the insignia (Aderalu / Sacred pots and Bandaru / Mix of turmeric and saffron powders) of the goddess Saralamma from Kannepally and place on her Gadde (platform) in Medaram, amidst their traditional musical beats (Doli / cylindrical drum, Akkum / brass blowing instrument, Thootha Kommu/bison-horn blowing instrument, cymbals, etc.) and dances with huge processions/prostrations of the pilgrims seeking boons for children, etc,” it said.