Mesram Clan Tribal Festival

Nagoba
Jatra 2026

Experience the second-largest tribal carnival in India. A sacred journey of the Mesram clan, deep rituals, and vibrant Gond culture.

Starts On

18th Jan 2026

Ends On

25th Jan 2026

Location

Keslapur, Adilabad

Chief Guest:Sri A. Revanth Reddy Garu

Hon'ble Chief Minister of Telangana State

Guest of Honor:Sri Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka Garu

Hon'ble Deputy CM, Finance & Energy Minister

★

Sri Jupally Krishna Rao GaruMinister for Tourism, Culture & Excise

Smt Konda Surekha GaruMinister for Environment, Forests & Endowment

Sri Adluri Laxman Kumar GaruMinister for SC/ST Development

★Special Invitees:

Sri Vedma Bojju GaruMLA, Khanapur

★Distinguished Guests:

Sri Godam Nagesh GaruParliament Member, Adilabad

Sri Dande Vittal GaruMember of Telangana Legislative Council, Adilabad

Sri Chinnamile Anji Reddy GaruMember of Telangana Legislative Council Graduate's, Adilabad

Sri Malka Komaraiah GaruMember of the Telangana Legislative Council Teacher's, Adilabad

★Honorary Guests:

Sri Payal Shankar GaruMember of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, Adilabad

Sri Anil Kumar Jadhav GaruMember of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, Boath

Sri Kova Laxmi GaruMember of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, Asifabad

★Officials:

Sri Sabyasachi Ghosh Garu I.A.SCommissioner, Tribal Welfare Dept

Sri Dr. S. Harish Garu I.A.SDirector, Endowments Dept

Rajarshi Shah, I.A.S.Collector & District Magistrate, Adilabad

Akhil Mahajan, I.P.S.Superintendent of Police, Adilabad

Yuvraj Marmat, I.A.S.Project Officer, I.T.D.A, Utnoor

Chief Guest:Sri A. Revanth Reddy Garu

Hon'ble Chief Minister of Telangana State

Guest of Honor:Sri Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka Garu

Hon'ble Deputy CM, Finance & Energy Minister

★

Sri Jupally Krishna Rao GaruMinister for Tourism, Culture & Excise

Smt Konda Surekha GaruMinister for Environment, Forests & Endowment

Sri Adluri Laxman Kumar GaruMinister for SC/ST Development

★Special Invitees:

Sri Vedma Bojju GaruMLA, Khanapur

★Distinguished Guests:

Sri Godam Nagesh GaruParliament Member, Adilabad

Sri Dande Vittal GaruMember of Telangana Legislative Council, Adilabad

Sri Chinnamile Anji Reddy GaruMember of Telangana Legislative Council Graduate's, Adilabad

Sri Malka Komaraiah GaruMember of the Telangana Legislative Council Teacher's, Adilabad

★Honorary Guests:

Sri Payal Shankar GaruMember of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, Adilabad

Sri Anil Kumar Jadhav GaruMember of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, Boath

Sri Kova Laxmi GaruMember of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, Asifabad

★Officials:

Sri Sabyasachi Ghosh Garu I.A.SCommissioner, Tribal Welfare Dept

Sri Dr. S. Harish Garu I.A.SDirector, Endowments Dept

Rajarshi Shah, I.A.S.Collector & District Magistrate, Adilabad

Akhil Mahajan, I.P.S.Superintendent of Police, Adilabad

Yuvraj Marmat, I.A.S.Project Officer, I.T.D.A, Utnoor

A Monumental
Heritage

The Nagoba Jatra is a monumental event in the cultural tapestry of the Deccan Plateau, representing not merely a religious congregation but a profound assertion of indigenous identity, genealogical continuity, and autonomous governance.

Celebrated annually by the Mesram clan of the Gond tribes, this festival transforms the quiet village of Keslapur into a vibrant epicenter of tribal cosmology.

"It is a veneration of the Serpent God, Nagoba (also referred to as Shesh Nag), who is regarded as the Mul-Purush or progenitor of the Mesram clan."

Bheting Ceremony

Gusadi Dance

Praja Darbar

Ancestral Worship

The Ritual Cycle

The festival unfolds over several weeks. Hover over an event to learn more and click for full details.

Phase 1

A 15-day barefoot pilgrimage to fetch holy water.

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Ganga Jal Procession

The festival formally commences with a journey to fetch water from the Godavari River. This is a ritual of purification and endurance. The destination is Hastina Madugu, a sacred pool believed to be where Nagoba quenched his thirst. A group of 80 to 100 Mesram elders and youth depart from Keslapur barefoot, carrying the sacred brass vessel 'Jhari' which is 1,400 years old.

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Phase 2

The spiritual climax on the night of Amavasya.

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Maha Puja

Occurring on the night of the New Moon (Amavasya), this is the main event. The Katoda (priest) performs the Abhishekam (holy bath) of the Nagoba idol using the water brought from the Godavari. The 'Varooli Prathishta' (anthill worship) is performed, and a Naivedyam of seven varieties of food is offered to the deity.

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Phase 3

Introduction of new brides into the clan.

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Bheting Ceremony

Following the Maha Puja, the Bheting ceremony takes place. New brides, dressed in white, are formally introduced to the clan deity and elders. This 'naturalization' process allows them to participate in future rituals and cook the Naivedyam. It is a profound sociological event ensuring the continuity of the Mesram lineage.

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Governance

A unique grievance redressal court.

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Praja Darbar

Initiated in the 1940s by anthropologist Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf, the Praja Darbar is a session where district officials, including the Collector, meet the tribal people directly to hear their grievances regarding land, water, and other issues. It represents a unique intersection of tribal custom and modern democratic governance.

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JATRA MEMORIES