The Ministry of Tribal Affairs on Monday sanctioned ₹2.26 Crores for various activities pertaining to Medaram Jathara 2022. The ministry sanctioned these funds for the promotion of Medaram Jathara, tribal culture, and heritage.
What is Medaram Jathara?
Medaram Jatara is the second-largest fair of India, after the Kumbh Mela. The Koya tribe of Telangana celebrates this festival for four days in honor of the Goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma. The Koya tribe is the second-largest Tribal Community in Telangana.
The festival is celebrated once in two years in the month of “Magha” (February) on the full moon day. On this occasion, several tribal communities of different villages assemble there, and lakhs of pilgrims visit the Mulugu District to celebrate the festival with full gusto.
Considering the footfall of the festival and its auspicious significance, the Jathara was declared a State Festival in 1996. This year it is being celebrated from 16th-19th February 2022.
At present, the Jathara festival is biennially celebrated and organized by the Koyas in collaboration with the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Telangana.
The four days’ Medaram Jathara is the most auspicious event for the lakhs of devotees who wait for two long years to behold such a rare occasion.
Objective behind Government Funding
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ continuous support of this festival aims to generate awareness and a harmonious bond between the visitors and the Tribal communities of Telangana.
Further, under the AzadiKa Amrit Mahotsav, the Government of India has announced that tribal culture and heritage will be the cynosure of 2022.
In this regard, the Union government has taken various initiatives in assisting the tribals to preserve their unique tribal traditions, culture, and heritage and promote their tribal History on a global scale. It is also an embodiment of the spirit of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.
Government support also includes the execution of the protection wall to the Sanctum of Chilakalagutta and Murals on the walls and the Cultural Complex – Model Koya Tribal Village in the premises of the Museum, convening a weeklong State Level Tribal Dance Festival, strengthening of the Museum, and so on.
Initiatives by the Tribal Affairs Ministry
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has also undertaken, to facilitate the Research and Documentation of the Minor Koya Festivals, organization of various State Level Competitions, Economic Support to the MSME Units among others.
For the Jatharas held in the years 2018 and 2020, the Ministry had released 2.00 Cr in each year.
The funds were utilized for branding of the Medaram Jathara and its organizational activities such as a weeklong State Level Tribal Dance Festival, producing Film Video Documentaries, highlighting Medaram Jathara through Print and Electronic Media, strengthening of the Medaram Tribal Museum and the Cultural Complex amongst others.
The Ministry also sanctioned funds for establishing infrastructure like multi-purpose buildings in and surroundings of Medaram for utilizing those as community shelters during the Jathara period and as agriculture godowns in other seasons by local Tribals.