Archive · 14 Jan 2026
Medaram Jatara and the left swastika debate
The Medaram Jatara is a big tribal festival in Telangana, India.
This year, people are talking about a special symbol called the left-facing swastika, which is found in the tribal temple.
Some researchers say this symbol is part of tribal history and is different from the right-facing swastika in Hindu tradition.
The Telangana government is helping to make the temple better and is preparing for the festival with hospitals and buses.
However, some people are upset about the left-facing swastika and say it is not part of Hindu history.
The festival is very important to the tribal communities and attracts millions of people.
Medaram Jatara, South Asia's largest biennial tribal festival, is set to take place from January 28-31 in Telangana.
The left-facing swastika, a tribal symbol, is engraved on the pillars of the Sammakka-Saralamma temple, sparking debate.
Tribal researchers argue that the left-facing swastika is a common symbol in tribal history and predates its adoption by Hinduism.
The Telangana government is supporting a Rs 200-crore facelift for the temple and preparing for the festival with hospitals and buses.
Some organizations oppose the inclusion of the left-facing swastika, calling it a distortion of Hindu history.
- Who
- Tribal communities, researchers, and the Telangana government
- What
- Debate over the left-facing swastika and the Medaram Jatara festival
- When
- January 28-31
- Where
- Medaram village, Telangana, India
- Why
- To celebrate tribal traditions and the history of the Sammakka-Saralamma temple
- Event
- Medaram Jatara
- Location
- Medaram village, Telangana
- Date
- January 28-31
- Symbol
- Left-facing swastika
- Temple
- Sammakka-Saralamma temple
- Government Support
- Rs 200-crore facelift
- Attendees
- Up to 10 million