Asia’s largest tribal festival, the Sammakka Saralamma Medaram Jatara, has begun in Telangana’s Mulugu district with record arrangements for an expected three crore devotees.

Mulugu (Telangana): Asia’s biggest tribal congregation, the Sammakka Saralamma Medaram Jatara, commenced on January 28 with authorities bracing for an unprecedented influx of devotees over the four-day event.

Held once every two years in Mulugu district, the festival—rooted in the legacy of 13th-century tribal icons Sammakka and Saralamma—is expected to draw up to three crore pilgrims by January 31. To manage the scale, the Telangana government has rolled out an extensive security and logistics plan, deploying around 42,000 personnel and allocating ₹251 crore for infrastructure, crowd control, and amenities.

Technology features prominently this year, with AI-enabled drones, CCTV surveillance, and QR-coded wristbands introduced to enhance safety and streamline crowd movement. The Union government has supplemented these efforts with additional infrastructure support and special train services to Medaram.

Adding an international cultural dimension, a delegation from New Zealand’s Māori community performed the traditional Haka dance, symbolically linking indigenous traditions across continents.

Analysis: The scale of preparation reflects how the Medaram Jatara has evolved from a regional tribal ritual into a global cultural event. For pilgrims, authorities have advised following designated routes and timings to avoid peak congestion—practical caution amid record crowds. This contextual assessment is analytical opinion; all factual details are drawn from the original report.