Now Reading: New Juvvi Tree Planted at Medaram Shrine for 2028 Jatara
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New Juvvi Tree Planted at Medaram Shrine for 2028 Jatara
A fully grown Juvvi, or white fig, tree has been translocated to the Sri Sammakka-Saralamma Temple at Medaram after its predecessor died. The new tree was moved from the temple trust premises…
The Story in Brief
A fully grown Juvvi, or white fig, tree has been translocated to the Sri Sammakka-Saralamma Temple at Medaram after its predecessor died. The new tree was moved from the temple trust premises by Hyderabad-based Vata Foundation, with its root ball intact. The operation faced five to six feet of concrete, a crane failure and restrictions on using a JCB inside the renovated shrine.
Temple officials said the earlier tree’s decline was linked to devotees taking leaves and bark, tying threads around its trunk, and cement-laden water reaching its roots during Rs 300-crore redevelopment work. The Jatara, last held in January 2026, draws nearly 1.5 to 1.75 crore devotees every two years. Officials will fence the new tree before the 2028 festival.
The Indian Opinion
It is easy to blame either devotees or redevelopment alone for the old tree’s death. The account from temple officials points to both repeated physical use and construction damage, while the precise contribution of each is unclear. The new fencing is a practical answer, but protection must not become an afterthought once crowds return. The first real test is whether the transplanted tree produces fresh leaves and survives the next summer. Will officials publish that record before the 2028 Jatara?
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
