Hyderabad: On Tuesday, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy urged the Union government to provide funds for the Sammakka Saralamma Temple and the biennial Medaram Maha Jatara. He also requested national festival status for this important tribal event.
During a public gathering, Reddy revealed plans for the renovation of the Sammakka-Saralamma platforms. The expansion, scheduled for completion before the Maha Jatara from January 28 to 31, includes a Rs 236-crore project. This plan aims to enlarge the temple area, accommodate 10,000 devotees at once, and improve facilities for visitors.
Reddy criticized the central government for not supporting India’s largest tribal festival at the Sammakka Saralamma temple in Mulugu district. He pointed out that while the Centre allocated vast sums for the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh, it neglected the Medaram Jatara.
The Chief Minister also criticized the previous BRS government for ignoring the Medaram temple over the past decade. He stated that visiting the temple and announcing development plans was both a duty and an emotional moment for him. He began a journey from this temple on February 6, 2023, aiming to challenge the previous administration. Highlighting his government’s initiatives for tribal communities, Reddy mentioned the approval of more Indiramma houses in ITDA areas.
Reddy emphasized the significance of tribal communities, calling them the country’s original inhabitants. He stated that local tribal members and priests are included in the temple’s development plans. He expressed that it was an honor for him and Minister Seethakka to work on the redevelopment of the Sammakka Sarakkala Gadde.
He instructed officials to use stone for new constructions to preserve them as historical landmarks. These projects should finish before the Maha Jatara to avoid any trouble for the millions of devotees expected to attend.
