The three-day tribal fair of Sammakka-Sarakka in Medaram village, being termed the southern Kumbh Mela, concluded on Saturday.
Some 1.5 crore devotees took part in the fair, according to the officials concerned.
Doubting whether the biennial tribal fair would be held or not due to Covid-19, ardent devotees of the forest goddesses started pouring in to the tribal village to pay obeisances to the goddesses from three months back. Authorities said that by February 16, some 60 lakh people had already visited Medaram. And in the last four days, some 75 lakh more devotees had darshans of the goddesses.
Officials said that even after the conclusion of the fair, lakhs of devotees were continuing to pour into the forest to have darshans of the goddesses, and that many visitors continued to stay at the site.
Ministers Errabelli Dayakar Rao and Indrakaran Reddy said that officials were making all necessary and possible arrangements for the convenience of the continuing stream of pilgrims. The ministers said that there were no traffic jams, and that most devotees stayed at the temple for one night and left.
The ministers added that while the state government announced Rs 75 crore for the fair, the endowments department had contributed another Rs 10 crore.
Traders and small businessmen made brisk business during the festivities at the site, according to reports.