Andhra Pradesh Festivals

Andhra Pradesh is a land of rich cultural heritage which beautifully reflects in its festivals and other attractions. Festivals are intricately woven into the culture of the state and are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Majority of the festivals celebrated here are religious whereas others are organized by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for tourism purposes.

Some of the famous festivals of Andhra Pradesh are:

Pongal

It is one of the most famous festivals of the state which is celebrated in the month of January every year. It is a harvest festival in which gratitude is offered to God, cattle and Mother Nature for their help in the growth of crops. The four day long celebration of Pongal consists of Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, Mttu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. Sweet rice called ‘Pongal’ is cooked on the festival.

Ugadi

This festival is the celebration of Telugu New Year. It falls in the month of April-May. The people wear new clothes, decorate their houses and make sweets on this day. Purampoli or Bhakshya is the special sweet made on this day. People also make festoons with mango leaves (called Torana) and hang them on the doors of the house.

Ganesha or Vinayak Chaturthi

This is a wonderful festival honoring the birthday of Lord Ganesha. Stretching for ten days, the festival is marked by worshipping the Ganesha with flowers, fruits, leaves, sandal paste, corns, vermilion, payasam, rice milk porridge (kheer), etc. It is celebrated in the month of August/September. The culmination of the festival is marked by the immersion of the idol of Ganesh in the lake.

Deccan Festival

It is a five-day long festival celebrated at Qutub Shahi Tombs in Hyderabad on Second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of April every year. It is dedicated to Hyderabad’s arts, crafts, cuisine and culture. During the festival a food and handicrafts fair is also held.

Lumbini Festival

This festival is celebrated in Hyderabad and Nagarjunasagar for three days in the month of December every year. It is a Buddhist festival. Buddhism was once a major religion followed in the state. To highlight the Buddhist culture, this festival is organized by the Department of Tourism of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival

This festival is dedicated to the arts, crafts and cuisine of Andhra Pradesh. It is celebrated in October in Rasyalaseema region of Tirupati in Chitoor district.

Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsav

It is a famous festival celebrated at the world famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati. Stretching for nine days, the festival is marked by a beautiful procession of Lord Venkateswara.

Visakha Utsav

Reflecting the traditions and culture of Andhra Pradesh, this festival is organized by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. This four day long festival is marked by cultural shows, garment exhibitions, heritage tours, sports events, traditional crafts and flower shows.

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