The tribal goddess Saralamma was installed at the Medaram shrine around midnight on January 28, 2026, kicking off the four-day Sammakka–Saralamma Maha Jatara. It is Asia's largest tribal festival and the first since the shrine was renovated. Saralamma started her journey at 7:30 p.m. from Kannepally village, about 5 km away, after priests performed a special puja. She was placed on a new platform at the shrine under the protective shade of Lord Hanuman. Minister for Revenue and Housing Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and family visited the temple for prayers before the arrival. Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Danasari Anasuya Seethakka, District Collector T.S. Divakara, and SP Sudhir R. Kekan also attended the puja and accompanied the procession. The festival had some challenges as the temple gates were closed from 7 p.m. but forced open during a stampede-like rush that lasted an hour, causing concern among devotees. Earlier on the same day, two other deities, Pagididdaraju and Govindaraju, were installed on their sacred platforms. Govindaraju came from Kondai and Pagididdaraju from Ponugonda village in Mahabubabad district. Medaram village in Mulugu district, inside the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, bustled with eager devotees including children, women, and elderly. The day began with priests purifying the sacred platforms using clay, turmeric, saffron, and sarees, following tribal tradition. Tribal chief priest Siddaboina Arun Kumar said, "We pray that all devotees are blessed with the grace of the Goddess." The festival will reach its high point on January 29 night when Mother Sammakka is brought from Chilakalagutta as a vermilion casket.