Telangana Minister Seethakka says nearly three crore devotees may attend the Medaram Jatara from January 28 to 31, prompting large-scale arrangements in Mulugu.

Telangana is gearing up for a massive spiritual gathering, with Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka) stating that close to three crore devotees are likely to visit the Medaram Jatara this year. The biennial tribal congregation, dedicated to goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma, is scheduled to take place from January 28 to 31 in Mulugu district.

To match the scale of the expected turnout, Seethakka chaired a comprehensive review meeting with senior ministers, top bureaucrats and district officials to evaluate preparedness across departments. She said officials have been clearly instructed to treat the festival as a shared responsibility and ensure seamless coordination on the ground.

Key arrangements include expanded sanitation facilities, uninterrupted drinking water supply, improved transport connectivity and tight security measures. The government has also rolled out a dedicated mobile application, QR code-based information system, special logo and awareness videos to help pilgrims navigate the event more easily. Over 42,000 government personnel from 21 departments, supported by 2,000 tribal youth volunteers, have been deployed to manage the massive crowd.

Earlier, A. Revanth Reddy directed officials to maintain high standards in all development works at Medaram, underscoring the site’s cultural and spiritual importance.

Often described as one of the largest religious gatherings in India, the Medaram Jatara is widely believed to draw the biggest crowd after the Kumbh Mela.

With attendance figures rivaling national religious events, the Medaram Jatara has become a logistical test case for large-scale crowd management in forest and rural zones. Effective planning here could set a template for future mega festivals in Telangana. For devotees, the added digital tools and improved facilities may significantly ease travel and access, especially given the sheer volume of pilgrims expected this year