Khamdev Temple & Jathara

Kamdev or Khamdev temple is located in Narnoor village and mandal, Adilabad District, Telangana State, India.

This temple is dedicated to Khamdev and the tribal Jathara which starts in January every year attracts the Thodasam tribe from all villages across the district.

The Thodasam clan honours Lord Khamdev as their personal God. The clan has a custom where one of the paternal sisters must consume a lot of handmade sesame oil over the course of three years at the yearly festival.

Adivasis believe that this ritual helps fulfil their dreams and brings about positive changes in their lives, which is why it is performed once every three years. They believe that carrying forward the tradition will provide good produce to farmers and will bring happiness and harmony to the community. According to them, the tradition began way back in 1961. Since then, as many as 20 paternal sisters of the clan have fulfilled the tradition successfully.

The five-day-long annual festival is held on the day of the full moon day in the month of Pushya, a sacred month of the Hindu calendar year. Jatara begins with tribals making their offerings to the deity. Pilgrims, both girijans and non-tribals, from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh besides Maharashtra make a beeline to the event which paves way for get together of relatives once a year.

As part of customs, members of the community keep away from consuming liquor and visit temples to offer prayers without wearing any footwear.

Adivasis from Gond, Kolam, Thoti, and Pardhan communities, as well as those from neighbouring States such as Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, visit the district to offer prayers. Those who are unable to attend the celebrations in person celebrate in their own villages with their community. They indulge in affectionate chats with dear ones and share food. 

Dec 24, 2017 : Khamdev jatara of the Thodasam clan of Raj Gond Adivasis will now be a five-day affair instead of the customary 15 days.

http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Khammam-Tab/2017-01-14/Kamdev-temple-Jatara-begins-/273607
By: Madavi Manik Rao

http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/JM-9-shocking-facts-of-kamdev-no-one-knows-4448128-PHO.html?seq=10