Medaram Jatara 2022

Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has approved a budget of 2.26 crores for the India’s second-largest fair- “Medaram Jathara 2022 Festivals”.

Context 

Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has approved a budget of 2.26 crores for the India’s second-largest fair- “Medaram Jathara 2022 Festivals”.

Key-points

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has allocated an amount of26 Crores for various activities pertaining to Medaram Jathara 2022. 
  • Prior to this, the Govt has sanctioned ? 7.00 Cr in 2019-20 and ? 5.00 Cr in 2021-22.
• The allocated amount includes promotion of Medaram, Tribal Culture and Heritage, inclusive of the execution of the protection wall to the Sanctum of Chilakalagutta and Murals on the walls and so on.
• Under the AzadiKa Amrit Mahotsav, the Government of India has announced that tribal culture and heritage will be the cynosure of 2022. 
• At present, the Jathara festival is biennially celebrated and organised by the Koyas in collaboration with the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Telangana.
• 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.

About Medaram Jatara 

• Medaram Jatara is the second-largest fair of India, after the Kumbh Mela.
  • This year it is being celebrated from 16th-19th February, 2022.
• It is celebrated by the second-largest Tribal Community of Telangana- the Koya tribe for four days.
  
  
• Considering the footfall of the festival and its auspicious significance, the Jathara was declared a State Festival in 1996.
• Medaram Jathara is conducted in honour of the Goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma.
• It is celebrated once in two years in the month of “Magha” (February) on the full moon day.
• Several Scheduled Tribes of different villages assemble there, and lakhs of pilgrims visit the Mulugu District to celebrate the festival with full gusto.
• Moreover, it assists 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.