MULUGURevenue and Housing Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Tuesday said that nearly 80% of the development works at the Medaram Sammakka-Sarakka tribal shrine had been completed.He stated that the remaining works would be finished by the first week of January 2026 and that the reconstructed shrine would be inaugurated with a grand fete in the presence of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues and Opposition leaders ahead of the Maha Jatara (biennial event), which is scheduled to be held from January 28 to 31, 2026.The Minister, along with local MLA and Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka), Mahabubabad MP P. Balaram Naik and Chief Minister’s Adviser Vem Narender Reddy, inspected the ongoing development works at Medaram.The aerial view of the Medaram Sammakka-Sarakka tribal shrine compound at Medaram in SS Tadwai mandal, Mulugu district.Addressing a press conference after a review meeting with officials, Mr. Reddy said the works were progressing as planned and were designed to meet requirements for at least the next 200 years. He said devotees could already see visible changes at the sacred site, where the gaddelu (platforms) housing the tribal deities were undergoing a complete makeover, with stone pillars and permanent structures replacing the earlier installations. He emphasised that all Adivasi worship customs were being strictly followed during execution of the works, adding that they had expanded by area of the compound of the shrine by two-and-a-half times for the convenience of the devotees.A stone structure replaced a Gadde (sacred platform) at Sammakka-Sarakka tribal shrine compound at Medaram in SS Tadwai mandal, Mulugu district.He also said approach roads were being widened from the existing 50–60 feet to 100–120 feet, along with the development of medians, to facilitate devotees, noting that Medaram had emerged as a major pilgrimage centre in the State and country.Ms. Seethakka said sculptures carved on stone blocks and pillars depicted Adivasi culture, customs, traditions, rituals, deity worship practices, tools and others passed down through generations. She also addressed the controversy over the Swastika symbol, stating that Adivasi communities had been using the symbol, oriented differently from the Hindu religious symbol, for generations.A carving depicting the Adivasi lifestyle at Sammakka-Sarakka tribal shrine compound at Medaram in SS Tadwai mandal, Mulugu district.She added that the installation of Padigiddaraju and Govindraju would be held on Wednesday (December 24) in accordance with Koya Adivasi rituals.A stone pillar is being set up at Sammakka-Sarakka tribal shrine compound at Medaram in SS Tadwai mandal, Mulugu district.District Collector T.S. Divakara, Superintendent of Police Sudhir R. Kekan and other officials were present.Published - December 23, 2025 07:27 pm IST