Fairs and Festivals
of Andhra Pradesh
Pongal
Famous Pongal, the harvest festival, is celebrated from the 13th to
the 15th of January every year. It literally means "boiling over"
and is a celebration of the flourishing crops in the fields. This
festival basically belongs to farming community, but today it is
celebrated throughout the South India.
Sivaratri
Sivaratri, is one of the pre-historic festivals celebrated in the
months of February/March. This festival is devoted to Lord Shiva,
the destroyer. Sivaratri is celebrated by remaining awake throughout
the night, visiting the temple and listening to the Vedic recitals
and their meanings.
Ugadi
Ugadi is the New Year's day in Andhra culture. It is celebrated
every year after the celebration of 'holi' in April-May.
Vinayaka Or Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh or Vinayak Chaturthi is celebrated to mark the birthday of
Lord Ganesh or Vinayak. This famous festival is celebrated with
excitement and enthusiasm throughout the country along with Andhra
Pradesh. The duration of Ganesh Chaturthi is ten days and on the
tenth day Ganesh idols are immersed in the Hussain Sagar lake.
Diwali (October - November)
Diwali, the festival of light, is celebrated in the entire country
including Andhra Pradesh. This festival is dedicated to the goddess
of wealth, Lakshmi. It is celebrated by decorating house with lights
and burning crackers.
Moharrum
Moharrum is a Muslim festival celebrated in Hyderabad. Other Muslim
festivals like Milad-un-Nabi and Id are also celebrated with
assemblies held at Mecca Masjid and at Dar-us-Salaam. These
festivals are also celebrated with equal happiness all over the
country.
Deccan Festival
The Deccan festival is a celebration of Hyderabad's arts, crafts,
culture and cuisine. The highlight of the festival are the Pearls
and Bangles fair and a food fair. The festival also includes
cultural programs, food stalls, arts and craft shops etc.
Lumbini Festival
The Lumbini festival celebrates the Buddhist Heritage of Andra
Pradesh. This festival is celebrated in Nagarjunasagar and Hyderabad
for three days from second Friday of December, every year.
Visaka Utsav
The Visaka Utsav is a celebration of the arts, crafts and cuisine of
Visakahapatan district. It is celebrated from the 3rd Sunday of
January in every year and the duration of the festival is three
days.
Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival
The Rayalaseema Food and
Dance Festival is held in the month of October. This festival
displays the arts and cuisine of Rasyalaseema area of Tirupati in
Chitoor district.
Bathkamma
Bathkamma is special to the Telangana region that lasts for almost a
month. During the festival, Goddess Bathkamma's idol is worshipped
and is made to float on the rivers and lakes. A widely known
festival in Telengana area that falls on Asvija Shuddha Dasami is
Bathkamma Panduga. |
