Sammakka Jatara 2026 — Highlights & Reference
January 28–31, 2026 · Over 1.3 crore pilgrims · Official records for 2028 planning
Official Details
| Dates | January 28–31, 2026 (4 days) |
|---|---|
| Occasion | Magha Sudha Pournami (Full Moon) |
| Attendance | Estimated 1.3–1.75 crore pilgrims over 4 days |
| Location | Medaram, Eturnagaram Mandal, Mulugu District, Telangana |
| Status | State Festival of Telangana (since 1996) |
| Next Jatara | February 2028 (exact dates TBA) |
4-Day Summary
Day 1 — January 28, 2026
Saralamma's procession arrived from Kannepally. Pagididda Raju arrived from Punugondla. Govinda Raju and Nagulamma arrived from Kondayi. The Gaddes were ritually prepared by the Koya Vadde priests. TSRTC special bus services commenced from Hyderabad, Warangal, and other major cities.
Day 2 — January 29, 2026
Sammakka's vermilion casket was retrieved from Chilukalagutta hillock by the Koya priests and brought to the Medaram Gadde in a grand procession. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims pressed forward to witness the descent. The Thootha Kommu bison-horn trumpet marked the sacred moments.
Day 3 — January 30, 2026 (Peak Day)
Both goddesses simultaneously enthroned on their Gaddes. Peak attendance — an estimated 40–50 lakh pilgrims on this single day. Bangaram (jaggery) offerings at massive scale. Millions took the holy dip in Jampanna Vagu. Medical camps attended to heat-related cases and crowd injuries.
Day 4 — January 31, 2026
The deities were returned to the forest by the Koya priests, accompanied by government officials. Sammakka's casket returned to Chilukalagutta. The site was cleared and became inaccessible until the next Jatara in 2028.
Infrastructure & Government Support
Transport: TSRTC operated special bus services from Hyderabad (MGBS, JBS), Warangal, Karimnagar, Khammam, and other major cities throughout the 4-day period.
Roads: Forest roads from Mulugu to Medaram were widened and reinforced months before the Jatara. Designated parking zones established 5–8 km from the Gadde.
Medical: 14+ medical camps set up along the route and at the Jatara site. Government hospitals in Mulugu and Warangal on standby. Ambulance services deployed.
Crowd management: Mulugu District Collector coordinated crowd management with designated entry/exit corridors, one-way pedestrian routes, and police deployment.
Water & sanitation: Government water tankers, temporary toilets, and sanitation crews deployed throughout the site.
Central government: Ministry of Tribal Affairs involvement in funding and coordination. Union ministers attended.
Using 2026 Data for 2028 Planning
The 2026 Jatara's infrastructure, crowd patterns, and timing are broadly consistent with what to expect in 2028. Key planning takeaways:
- Accommodation: Warangal hotels were fully booked 2 months before the Jatara. Book earlier for 2028.
- Transport: TSRTC special buses ran every 10–15 minutes from Warangal during Days 2–3. Reliable and recommended.
- Day 3 pre-dawn: 4–7 AM confirmed as the best window for Gadde access with manageable crowds.
- Cash: UPI and card payments remained unreliable near Medaram. Carry ₹2,000+ in cash.
- Water: Government tankers available but queues were long. Carry your own 3+ litres.