The Sammakka-Saralamma Maha Jatara in Telangana’s Mulugu district is gaining momentum. On January 29, 2026, the number of devotees is expected to rise as Mother Sammakka arrives in the form of a vermilion casket from Chilakalgutta. The tribal deity Saralamma reached the shrine near Wednesday midnight and was placed on the new sacred platform, marking the festival’s start from January 28 to 31. Earlier, Pagididdaraju and Govindaraju were installed on their platforms. Telangana's Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and district Collector T.S. Divakara inspected arrangements on bikes, including preparations at Jampannavagu rivulet where devotees will bathe. Union Tribal Affairs Minister Ual Oram and Union Coals and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy visited the shrine and were welcomed by Telangana Ministers Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka), Adluri Laxman Kumar, and Srinivasa Reddy. They submitted a request to Mr. Kishan Reddy to declare Medaram Jatara as a national festival. Currently, the Telangana Government recognizes this biennial Jatara as a state festival and has declared a holiday in Mulugu district on January 30.