Andhra Pradesh Festivals

Andhra Pradesh is a land of rich cultural heritage, beautifully reflected in its festivals and various attractions. Festivals are deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the state and are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Most festivals observed here are religious in nature, while some are organized by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to promote tourism and cultural awareness.

Some of the famous festivals of Andhra Pradesh are:

Sankranti (Pongal)

It is one of the most important festivals of the state and is celebrated every year in January. Sankranti is a harvest festival during which gratitude is offered to the Sun God, cattle, and Mother Nature for a bountiful harvest. The four-day celebration includes Bhogi, Sankranti, Kanuma, and Mukkanuma. A traditional sweet dish made of rice and jaggery, known as ‘Pongal,’ is prepared during the festival.

Ugadi

This festival marks the Telugu New Year and is celebrated during March or April. People wear new clothes, decorate their homes, and prepare festive dishes on this day. Ugadi Pachadi is the special dish prepared, symbolizing different emotions of life. Mango leaf festoons, known as Torana, are also hung at the entrances of homes.

Ganesha or Vinayaka Chaturthi

This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha and usually falls in August or September. Spanning ten days, it is marked by the worship of Lord Ganesha with flowers, fruits, leaves, sandal paste, vermilion, and offerings such as payasam and kheer. The festival concludes with the immersion of the Ganesha idol in a water body.

Deccan Festival

This five-day festival is celebrated at the Qutub Shahi Tombs in Hyderabad and showcases the rich arts, crafts, cuisine, and culture of the Deccan region. Cultural performances, food fairs, and handicraft exhibitions form an integral part of the celebrations.

Lumbini Festival

Celebrated in Hyderabad and Nagarjunasagar during December, the Lumbini Festival highlights the Buddhist heritage of the region. Organized by the Department of Tourism, it commemorates Buddhism, which once flourished prominently in Andhra Pradesh.

Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival

This festival showcases the unique arts, crafts, folk dances, and cuisine of the Rayalaseema region. It is usually held in October in the Tirupati region of Chittoor district.

Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam

This grand festival is celebrated at the world-famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati. Lasting for nine days, the festival features magnificent processions of Lord Venkateswara and attracts millions of devotees from across the world.

Visakha Utsav

Reflecting the vibrant culture and traditions of Andhra Pradesh, Visakha Utsav is organized by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. The festival includes cultural performances, handicraft exhibitions, heritage walks, sports events, and flower shows.

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