‘Why crores spent on Kumbh Mela, but nothing for regional events’: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy to Centre

Speaking at the venue about the preparations, Reddy said a proper temple can be built and better arrangements can be made if additional funds are available. “Given its importance and significance in this region, Medaram Maha Jatara should be recognised as a national festival. The Centre should allocate funds for the conduct of the festival every year. Why are crores of rupees provided to organise Kumbh Mela, but nothing is given for equally important regional religious events? This indifference to other events is troubling,” the CM said.

Andhra CM’s demand

Reddy’s Andhra Pradesh counterpart, Naidu, has also sought funds from the Centre to organise the ‘Godavari Maha Pushkaralu’, which takes place once every 12 years, and will be next held from July 23 to August 3, 2027. Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party is a partner in the NDA.

Making a pitch for central funds recently, Naidu said that the gathering is similar to the Kumbh Mela, and called on the Centre to help Andhra Pradesh organise it safely and smoothly.

Naidu said he wanted the Narendra Modi government to declare a religious/spiritual financial package to organise the Godavari Maha Pushkaralu, which is described in tourism brochures as “South India Kumbh Mela”.

‘Important tribal festival’

Back in Telangana, Revanth Reddy accused the previous Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government in the state of neglecting and discriminating against the Sammakka Saralamma temple. “It is one of the most important tribal festivals, and if the Centre allocates funds to organise this prestigious event, it will be grand. Whether we receive support from the Centre or not, we will develop this famous tribal temple… A grand structure will be built. My government will ensure that this year’s Medaram Jatara is organised on a grand scale,” he said.

“The tribal communities are considered the original inhabitants of this country, and this tribal festival, involving the gathering of not only tribals but people of various sections of society, should get its due recognition,” said the CM. Describing his connection to the temple, Reddy said, “With the blessing of the deities, Sammakka and Saralamma, I had embarked on a padayatra from the famous temple on February 6, 2023, to dethrone the previous government.”

Reddy said his government would soon construct a structure in stone around the sacred platform where the idols of the deities are located in the open and renovate the entire premises. “It will be a temple and structure which will forever remain as evidence of the history of Sammakka Saralamma,” he said.