According to local tradition, Sammakka, believed to possess divine powers, resisted unjust rule and sacrificed her life while protecting her people. Her daughter Saralamma (also known as Sarakka) is said to have stood alongside her during the conflict. The deities symbolise courage, sacrifice and protection of tribal identity, and their remembrance forms the spiritual foundation of the biennial congregation.

The festival is observed every two years during the month of Magha, typically coinciding with the full moon day. Over time, what began as a tribal gathering has grown into one of the largest religious congregations in Asia. The Government of Telangana accords it the status of a state festival and oversees extensive administrative arrangements.

As per the 2026 schedule, the four-day event will commence on January 28 with the ceremonial arrival of Goddess Saralamma from Kannepally village. On January 29, Goddess Sammakka will be brought from Chilakala Gutta amid traditional rituals. The main congregation reaches its peak on January 30, when devotees from various states gather in large numbers. The festival concludes on January 31 with the afternoon “Vana Pravesham,” marking the symbolic return of the deities to the forest.

Devotional practices during the Jathara include offering “bangaram” (jaggery) equivalent to a devotee’s weight, considered a symbolic expression of gratitude and prayer fulfilment. Many pilgrims take a holy dip in the Jampanna Vagu, a stream associated with the legend. In certain traditional practices, animal sacrifice is offered as naivedyam in accordance with long-standing customs of the community.

Apart from its religious dimension, the Medaram Maha Jathara serves as a major platform for preservation of tribal culture, oral history and customary rituals. The congregation reflects the continued significance of indigenous faith systems and the enduring connection between forest, community and belief in the region.

Authorities have appealed to devotees to follow designated routes and administrative guidelines during the festival period to ensure smooth conduct of the event.