Ramesh Vellanki drove from Hyderabad to Medaram on January 29, 2026 — the second and most sacred day of the biennial Jatara, the day Sammakka Talli arrives from Chilakalagutta forest. He had not planned accommodation. He had not eaten. The 200-kilometre road was packed for the last 50 kilometres. He walked the final stretch — barefoot, as lakhs of devotees around him were doing, as a vow. At the Gadde — the sacred platform — there was no idol. A kumkuma (vermillion) pot, a bamboo stick, Koya tribal pujaris performing ancient rituals. He offered jaggery equal to his body weight. He had driven 200 kilometres, walked 4 kilometres barefoot, waited 5 hours — to stand before a pot of vermillion in a forest clearing in Mulugu district. He would do it again in 2028. The Medaram Jatara does something to people that temples with elaborate idols and gold structures cannot. This guide is for Ramesh’s next trip — and yours.
Please Subscribe on Youtube
💡 Quick Answer Jatara 2026: January 28–31, 2026 — Completed Next Jatara: ~February 2028 (biennial — every 2 years) Location: Medaram Village, Tadvai Mandal, Mulugu District, Telangana Official: medaramjathara.com Scale: Asia’s largest tribal religious gathering — 2–3 crore devotees Offering: Jaggery by body weight | Kumkuma | Turmeric rice Hyderabad from: ~200 km
2026 Update: Medaram Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026 — January 28-31 — completed. 2–3 crore devotees attended. Next Jatara: ~February 2028. Regular temple darshan available year-round at Medaram. Source: medaramjathara.com + hindupad.com Jan 2026.
Sammakka Sarakka Jatara — At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sammakka Saralamma (Sarakka) Vanadevatalu Maha Jatara |
| Also called | Medaram Jatara |
| Scale | Asia’s largest tribal religious congregation |
| Frequency | Biennial — every 2 years |
| 2026 Dates | January 28–31, 2026 (Completed) |
| Next: 2028 | ~February 2028 |
| Goddesses | Sammakka (mother) + Saralamma/Sarakka (daughter) |
| No idol | Kumkuma (vermillion) pot represents Goddess |
| Location | Medaram, Tadvai Mandal, Mulugu District, Telangana |
| Official | medaramjathara.com |
| State Festival | Since 1998 |
| Hyderabad from | ~200 km |
Jatara 2026 — What Happened (January 28–31)
The Medaram Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026 was held from January 28 to January 31, 2026. It has now concluded.
| Day | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | January 28 | Saralamma (Sarakka) arrives at Gadde from Kannepally village |
| Day 2 | January 29 | Sammakka arrives from Chilakalagutta — peak day |
| Day 3 | January 30 | Main darshan + offerings — 2–3 crore devotees |
| Day 4 | January 31 | Vanapravesham — Goddesses return to forest |
2026 Jatara concluded January 31, 2026. Regular temple visits possible year-round.
Next Jatara — 2028
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Next Jatara | ~February 2028 |
| When announced | Koya pujaris announce 6–12 months before |
| Official | medaramjathara.com — check for 2028 dates |
| Accommodation | Book months ahead — fills up fast |
| Arrive | Day before (January 27 equivalent) — overnight stay |
💡 Pro tip for 2028: Book accommodation the moment dates are announced — forest tents at ₹1,000–₹2,000/12 hours fill within hours of opening. Haritha Tourist Guest Houses + Koya community homestays are the best options. Check medaramjathara.com from January 2027 onwards for 2028 announcements.
Who Are Sammakka and Sarakka?
The story of Sammakka and Saralamma is tribal legend, not classical Hindu mythology — and that is what makes Medaram unique.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sammakka | Forest Goddess — found as a child by Koya tribals in the forest |
| Saralamma | Sammakka’s daughter |
| Mythology | Sammakka resisted the Kakatiya king’s army — fought and died for her tribal people |
| Era | 12th–13th century — Kakatiya Dynasty |
| Why worshipped | Tribal resistance + women’s leadership + forest protection |
| Form | Kumkuma (vermillion) pot — no sculptured idol |
| Koya pujaris | Hereditary tribal priests — only they perform the rituals |
This is not a Brahminical temple tradition. Sammakka and Sarakka are Vana Devatas — forest Goddesses — worshipped entirely by Koya tribal customs. The absence of a traditional idol is a statement of the tradition itself.
The Rituals — What Happens at Medaram
| Ritual | Description |
|---|---|
| Gampan Vagu bath | Holy dip in the sacred forest stream before darshan |
| Jaggery by weight | Most famous offering — devotees offer jaggery equal to their body weight |
| Kumkuma offering | Vermillion offered at the Gadde |
| Turmeric rice | Mixed with turmeric — offered at the sacred platforms |
| Barefoot walk | Thousands walk kilometres barefoot as a vow |
| Sammakka Raaka | Grand procession of Sammakka arriving at Medaram |
Jaggery by weight is the most iconic offering at Medaram — devotees stand on a scale and offer jaggery equivalent to their body weight to the Goddess. This is called “Bangaram” (gold) — the jaggery represents gold.
Gampan Vagu — The Sacred Forest Stream
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| What | Seasonal forest stream near Medaram |
| Ritual | Holy dip before darshan — mandatory for devout |
| Belief | Stream blessed by Sammakka + Saralamma |
| Significance | Purifies body + soul before approaching Gadde |
| Peak days | Jan 29–30 — exercise caution (massive crowd) |
Regular Temple Darshan (Non-Jatara Year)
Outside Jatara season, Medaram has a small temple structure at the Gadde site:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Regular darshan | Available year-round |
| Scale | Small — local tribal worship |
| Crowd | Minimal — very peaceful |
| Main Jatara | Every 2 years only |
| Manda Melige | Mini festival — February 2026 (Feb 16–19) |
Manda Melige: A smaller version of the Jatara held in between Jatara years — local community observance, limited darshan. February 16–19, 2026 (completed).
Accommodation for 2028 Jatara
| Type | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Tents (Govt) | ₹1,000/12 hrs + ₹2,000/24 hrs | medaramjathara.com |
| Haritha Tourist Guest Houses | Check portal | Book 2+ months ahead |
| Koya community homestays | Negotiated locally | Arrive early |
| Warangal/Mulugu hotels | ₹800–₹3,000 | 50–100 km base |
How to Reach Medaram
| Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Medaram Village, Tadvai Mandal, Mulugu District, Telangana |
| Hyderabad from | ~200 km — ~4 hours |
| Warangal from | ~100 km — ~2 hours |
| Mulugu from | ~40 km |
| TSRTC buses | Special buses during Jatara — medaramjathara.com |
| Road | Via Warangal → Eturnagaram → Medaram |
Common Errors + Fixes
“Online ticket booking nahi mili for Jatara” → Fix: No darshan ticket needed — free walk-in. Accommodation booking at medaramjathara.com — book the moment 2028 dates announced.
“Jatara 2026 miss ho gaya” → Fix: Next Jatara: ~February 2028. Plan accommodation 6+ months ahead. Check medaramjathara.com from January 2027.
“Regular time pe gaye — kuch nahi tha” → Fix: Medaram is a small tribal site outside Jatara. The full experience is ONLY during the biennial Jatara. Plan for 2028.
“Day 3 pe gaye — bahut bheed” → Fix: Day 1 (Saralamma arrival) is less crowded. Day 2 (Sammakka arrival) and Day 3 (peak) = most intense. Arrive Day 1 evening for smooth experience.
“Idol dhoondha — nahi mila” → Fix: No idol at Medaram. Goddesses are represented by kumkuma (vermillion) pots and bamboo sticks. This is intentional — Vana Devata tradition.
Medaram Jatara Visit Checklist (For 2028)
☑ Next Jatara: ~February 2028 ☑ Check dates: medaramjathara.com (from Jan 2027) ☑ Accommodation: Book within hours of date announcement ☑ Arrive Day 1 evening (Saralamma arrival) ☑ Gampan Vagu dip — before Gadde ☑ Jaggery by weight — bring cash ☑ Barefoot option — bring comfortable walking footwear + option ☑ No idol — kumkuma pot = Goddess ☑ Hyderabad 200 km — start by 4 AM on Jatara days
FAQ
Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026 kab hai?
January 28–31, 2026 — completed. Next Jatara: ~February 2028 (biennial — every 2 years). Check medaramjathara.com for 2028 dates.
Medaram Jatara mein kya offer karte hain?
Jaggery by body weight — most iconic offering. Also: kumkuma, turmeric rice. Gampan Vagu mein holy dip before darshan.
Medaram mein idol kyun nahi hai?
Sammakka Sarakka Vana Devatas hain — forest Goddesses. Koya tribal tradition. Idols nahi hote — kumkuma (vermillion) pot Goddess ko represent karta hai.
Medaram Jatara accommodation booking kahan se?
medaramjathara.com — forest tents ₹1,000–₹2,000। 2028 ke liye — dates announce hote hi book karein।
Hyderabad se Medaram kitna door hai?
~200 km — approximately 4 hours via Warangal → Eturnagaram → Medaram.
Sammakka Sarakka Jatara kitni baar hoti hai?
Biennial — har 2 saal mein ek baar. 2026: January 28–31. Next: ~2028.
Ramesh booked forest tent accommodation the day 2028 dates were announced. He arrived Day 1 evening — Saralamma’s arrival. He bathed in Gampan Vagu at dawn on Day 2. He waited at the Gadde. He offered jaggery — 72 kilograms, his body weight. He stood before the kumkuma pot. Sammakka Talli was there. The Koya pujari chanted. The forest was around him. 2 crore people would follow over the next 3 days. He was among the first. Jai Sammakka! Jai Sarakka!
Also Read:
- Vemulawada Temple 2026
- Balkampet Yellamma Temple 2026
- Yadagirigutta Temple 2026
- Alampur Jogulamba Temple 2026