Tollywood Actress Shravya Stirs Row Over Pet Dog’s Tulabharam At Medaram

Warangal:A social media post by Tollywood actress Tina Shravya has triggered a sharp debate over religious sentiments and tribal traditions. She faced backlash after a video showed her performing the traditional Tulabharam ritual for her pet dog at the sacred shrine.

The controversy arose after Shravya, known for her role in ‘Committee Kurrollu’, visited Medaram to fulfil a vow. In a video shared on Instagram, she was seen placing her pet dog on the weighing scales and offering an equivalent weight of jaggery to the Goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma. While devotees customarily perform Tulabharam for themselves, extending the ritual to a pet was widely viewed as a violation of customs.

The incident drew strong criticism from tribal elders and devotees, who termed the act disrespectful to tribal deities and contrary to the deeply rooted spiritual traditions of the Medaram Jatara. Many said such actions hurt the sentiments of millions who revere the goddesses as their supreme protectors.

Initially, the actress’s family sought to justify the act, stating it was done out of devotion as part of a personal vow. As criticism intensified, tribal activists pointed out that the Medaram Jatara, accorded state festival status, follows strict ancient protocols and does not permit domestic animals in core rituals.

Acknowledging the outrage, Shravya later released a video apology on Instagram. She said her 12-year-old dog had undergone surgery for a tumour and that she had prayed to the Goddesses for its recovery. Acting out of gratitude when the pet began to recover, she had performed the ritual without fully understanding local customs.

She admitted her action was inappropriate under tribal tradition, clarified that there was no intent to insult religious sentiments, apologised for hurting the community’s feelings, and assured that such a mistake would not be repeated.