Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026 will be held from 28–31 January at Medaram, Telangana. Know history, rituals, dates & travel tips.
Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026 is one of the most sacred and largest tribal festivals in India, celebrated at Medaram forest in Telangana from 28 to 31 January 2026. This historic jatara honors the tribal goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma and attracts crores of devotees from across the country.
📅 Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026 – Official Dates
✅ 28 January 2026 (Wednesday)
✅ 29 January 2026 (Thursday)
✅ 30 January 2026 (Friday)
✅ 31 January 2026 (Saturday)
These four days mark the most sacred period of the jatara, aligned with tribal lunar traditions.
🔔 Important Ritual Days
- 28 Jan: Arrival of Saralamma to Medaram
- 29 Jan: Grand arrival of Sammakka from the forest
- 30 Jan: Main worship, offerings, and peak footfall
- 31 Jan: Vanapravesham – symbolic return of the goddesses to the forest
📜 History of Sammakka Sarakka Jatara
The jatara traces back over 800 years to the era of the Kakatiya dynasty.
- Sammakka, a fearless tribal leader, resisted unjust taxation imposed on forest communities.
- Along with her daughter Saralamma, she led a rebellion to protect tribal dignity and rights.
- Rather than surrender, Sammakka is believed to have disappeared into the forest, attaining divine status.
Over generations, tribal communities began worshipping them as forest goddesses, making this jatara a rare blend of history, resistance, and spirituality.
🌿 Spirituality Without Temples
What makes this jatara unique:
- No temples or stone idols
- Goddesses symbolized by bamboo sticks (bottelu)
- Worship conducted under trees
- Rituals follow pure tribal customs, not Sanskrit mantras
This reflects the tribal belief that nature itself is divine.
🌊 Sacred Gampan Vagu Holy Dip
The holy dip in Gampan Vagu, a seasonal forest stream near Medaram, is a key ritual of the Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026. Devotees believe the sacred bath purifies the body and soul before darshan, as the stream is blessed by Sammakka and Saralamma. Lakhs of devotees take the dip with deep faith, symbolizing spiritual cleansing and harmony with nature.
🔔 Significance
- Believed to have originated from the divine presence of Sammakka
- Taking a dip before darshan is considered spiritually purifying
- Symbolizes cleansing of sins, healing, and renewal of faith
⚠️ During peak days (29–30 January), the area becomes extremely crowded—extra caution is advised.
🙏 Offerings & Devotee Beliefs
Common offerings include:
- Jaggery (Bellam) – prosperity
- Turmeric & vermilion – purity and protection
- Coconuts, sarees, bangles
Devotees believe the goddesses bless them with:
- Good health
- Children
- Crop prosperity
- Justice and protection from evil
Many walk barefoot for kilometers as a vow of faith.
👥 Who Attends the Jatara?
Originally celebrated by tribes like:
- Koya
- Gond
- Lambada
- Chenchu
Today, the jatara welcomes devotees from:
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh
- Maharashtra
- Odisha
Scholars, historians, and international visitors also attend, making it a global cultural phenomenon.
🌏 Cultural Significance
- Larger footfall than Kumbh Mela during peak days
- One of the rare festivals led by women deities from tribal history
- A living example of indigenous faith and resistance
- Celebrated without temples, priests, or scriptures
✨ Why Sammakka Saralamma Jatara 2026 Is Special
The 28–31 January 2026 jatara is not just a festival—it is:
- A tribute to tribal bravery
- A reminder of women-led leadership
- A spiritual bond between humans and forests
- The cultural soul of Telangana
For official information and travel planning related to Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026, you can refer to the following trusted resource: Official Telangana Tourism Website: https://tourism.telangana.gov.in
🏛️ Government Arrangements (2026)
The Telangana government observes the jatara as a state festival, with large-scale preparations such as:
- Special RTC buses
- Temporary roads & bridges
- Medical camps and mobile hospitals
- Drinking water & sanitation facilities
- CCTV, drones, and crowd-control systems
🏨 Accommodation Near Medaram (Important for Devotees)
🏛️ Government Accommodation (Limited Availability)
The only government-run accommodation near Medaram is operated by Telangana Tourism under the Haritha Hotel brand.
✔ Haritha Hotel – Medaram (Government)
- Located very close to the jatara site
- Government-managed property
- Limited number of rooms
- Some rooms with attached western toilets & hot water geysers
⚠️ Important Reality
- Extremely limited availability
- Priority often given to officials, security staff, and duty personnel
- Public bookings sell out months in advance
✔ Haritha Hotel – Mulugu (Government)
- Located in Mulugu town, ~25 km from Medaram
- Also fully government-run by Telangana Tourism
- Better maintenance and infrastructure compared to Medaram
- Most rooms have attached western toilets and hot water
✅ Best government accommodation option for general devotees
⚠️ Still limited rooms—early booking is mandatory
❗ There are no other state guest houses or government lodges near Medaram apart from these Haritha Hotels.
🏠 Private Accommodation Near Medaram (Basic to Moderate)
Private Guest Houses & Lodge Rooms – Medaram Area
- Small private lodges and home-stays operate temporarily during Jatara
- Some rooms offer attached western toilets
- Hot water may be provided via geyser or bucket system
⚠️ Expectations to Set Clearly
- Facilities are basic, not hotel-standard
- Cleanliness and maintenance vary by property
- Hot water availability may be time-restricted
- Suitable mainly for short overnight stays
📌 Always confirm:
- Attached bathroom type (western)
- Hot water availability
- Bedding and water supply
🏨 Best Private Stay Option for Comfort & Families
For devotees seeking clean, well-maintained rooms with guaranteed western toilets and hot water geysers, the best option is to stay in nearby cities:
✔ Recommended Cities
- Warangal
- Hanamkonda
Why Warangal / Hanamkonda?
- Wide range of private hotels & guest houses
- Attached western bathrooms in almost all rooms
- 24×7 hot water geysers, better hygiene
- Suitable for families, elderly devotees, and women travelers
Many devotees stay here and travel daily to Medaram during the jatara.
🚍 How to Reach Medaram
- By Road: Special buses from Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar
- By Train: Nearest station – Warangal
- By Air: Hyderabad (RGIA), followed by road travel
⚠️ Expect heavy traffic from 27–31 January 2026. Plan early.
✅ Do’s and ❌ Don’ts for Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026
✅ Do’s
- Plan travel and accommodation early
- Take the holy dip at Gampan Vagu if physically fit
- Wear comfortable clothes and footwear
- Carry water, ORS, and basic medicines
- Follow police and government instructions
- Respect tribal customs and forest rules
❌ Don’ts
- Do not litter plastic or waste in forest areas
- Avoid pushing or rushing during darshan
- Do not consume alcohol near sacred zones
- Avoid night travel through forest routes
- Do not ignore health issues use medical camps
💬 Customer Testimonials
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the dates of Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026?
The Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026 will be held from 28 January to 31 January 2026 at Medaram, Mulugu district, Telangana.
2. Where is Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026 celebrated?
The jatara is celebrated at Medaram village, located inside a sacred forest area in Mulugu district, Telangana, approximately 250 km from Hyderabad.
3. Why is Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026 so significant?
It is considered Asia’s largest tribal festival, honoring the tribal goddesses Sammakka and Sarakka. The jatara symbolizes women-led resistance, tribal justice, and nature worship, and is celebrated without temples or idols.
4. Is Sammakka Sarakka Jatara open to everyone?
Yes. The jatara is open to all devotees, irrespective of caste, religion, or region. Millions of people from Telangana and neighboring states attend the festival.
5. What are the travel options available for Medaram Jatara 2026?
Devotees can reach Medaram using:
- Telangana RTC special buses
- Trains up to Warangal, followed by road travel
- Private vehicles, self-drive cars, or rental vehicles through YODrives
Private travel is often preferred due to heavy crowd movement during jatara days.
6. Can I book a self-drive car or vehicle through YODrives for the Jatara?
Yes. YODrives offers multiple travel options including:
- Self-drive cars
- Cars with drivers
- Tempo travellers and buses
These services are suitable for families, elderly devotees, and group pilgrimage travel.
7. Is YODrives suitable for family and group travel to Medaram?
Yes. YODrives vehicles are well-maintained and ideal for:
- Family pilgrimages
- Elderly devotees
- Friends, office, and community groups
Private travel helps avoid overcrowded public transport during peak jatara days.
8. Should I book travel in advance for Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026?
Yes. Due to the massive crowd between 28–31 January 2026, advance booking is strongly recommended to ensure vehicle availability and smooth travel.
9. Where can I get complete details about YODrives services and bookings?
For complete and updated information about vehicle options, availability, and bookings, visit the official YODrives website:
10. Is private vehicle travel better than public transport during the Jatara?
While government buses are available, private vehicle travel offers greater flexibility, comfort, and convenience, especially for families and elderly devotees during high-footfall days.
🌼 Final Note
The Sammakka Sarakka Jatara 2026 (28–31 January) is a deeply spiritual and historic event. With proper planning and reliable travel support like YODrives, devotees can focus on devotion while enjoying a comfortable and well-organized journey.