Medaram Jathara Successful: Srihari

Deputy Chief Minister K Srihari today said world biggest Adivasi Jathara which is Asia’s biggest Tribal festival of Medaram Sammakka Sarakka has been successful and peaceful.

The four-day festivities began on January 31 and concluded on February 3 on a grand note with active coordination of departments and prior arrangements made for the devotees like never before.

Speaking to media persons on the last day of Jathara at Medaram he said that the event has saw the turnout of about 1.50 cr devotees from several states and countries. The Medaram festival was successful with the divine blessings of forest goddesses and the devout cooperated for smooth conduct of the event. He extended thanks to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for announcing Rs 200 cr and to procure 200 acres for developing Jathara site for next congregation in 2020. The state government will begin works at the site and will urge the Centre to accord national status to the Medaram festival.

Srihari extended thanks to Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Chattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and VIPs for their visit to the biennial Tribal festival. He also expressed happiness for smooth conduct of the event as it involved the coordination efforts of the officials and staff. The state government made arrangements 15 days before and the devotees offered Bangaram (Jaggery) to the presiding deities, he said.
The State government will allot Rs 200 cr in the coming budget for developing Medaram Jathara in about 200 to 300 acres. He vowed to complete all the works including a parallel bridge at Jampanna Vagu and other facilities for the Tribal festival by 2020. Srihari stated that the MPs will mount pressure on the Centre to accord national status to the Tribal festival. (NSS)