Popular festivals of Andhra Pradesh

Hindu Muslim Christian Jain Buddhist

Hindu

Though Andhra Pradesh has become home to a number of religions and people from all over the country, most of the festivals celebrated are Hindu Festivals common to almost all the castes.

But specific to Andhras are the Sankranti (harvest) and Ugadi (New Year) festivals.

Sankranti

Falls on January 14th of every year with the festivity starting a day before and ending a day later - a three-day fete! During the first day bonfires are lit and people warm themselves around the 'Bhogimantalu'. The next day is the harvest festival followed by a more sombre celebration that ends up with cattle being decorated and taken in processions. In urban areas, kites are flown.

Ugadi

Ugadi is the Telugu New Year falling sometime around March and April depending on the Telugu Calendar - first day of the month of Chaitra. The day starts with an early morning ritual after bathing - tasting a syrupy, prepared of raw mango pieces, jaggery, tamarind, margosa (neem) flower, salt and a little bit of chilli powder denoting the five tastes of sour, sweet, bitter, salt and chilli. On this day, priests and astrologers render "Panchanga Sravanam' - a reading of the almanac to narrate to the people what the stars foretell.

The other Hindu festivals celebrated in the State like in the rest of the country are:

Srirama Navami

The birthday of Lord Rama, on this day his marriage to Sita is celebrated with pomp, at the major Rama temple at Bhadrachalam. The event is celebrated in a grand manner with thousands of devotees in attendance. The Nizam of Hyderabad who gifted jewellery to the deities used to send clothes every year on the day. The duty is now performed by the representative of the State Government, preferably the Chief Minister.

Vinayaka Chaturthi

Ganesh Jayanti occurs in September and 'Vighneswara-the remover of hurdles', the elephant headed deity, is worshipped in almost every Hindu household. Since the past two decades, this festival has become a major pubic event in the State capital and major towns and cities. On the ninth day, publicly displayed idols of Ganesha are taken out in large processions and immersed in water bodies.

Dasara

A major Hindu festival that is observed for 10 days. 'Navaratri' or nine nights of the festival is followed by Vijaya Dasami or the tenth day of victory symbolising the destruction of the demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga. During this festival the triumvirate of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped. Children help womenfolk display dolls in the household. Vijaya Dasami or Dasara symbolises victory of virtue over vice. During the festival artisans and workers worship the tools of their trade, seeking prosperity.

Deepavali

The 'festival of lights' usually occurs in October or November. It has come to be associated with the bursting of crackers and worshiping of the Goddess of wealth - Lakshmi. The business community does no transactions but opens new accounts on that day. A major festival all over the country, it is celebrated to commemorate destruction of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna.

Mahasivaratri

Another auspicious day for Hindus, wherein Shiva is worshipped and people keep awake the whole night in prayer and fasting. Lakhs of devotees line up at the numerous Shiva temple of the State.

Holi

Holi is the festival of colours. In the urban areas of the State, young and old alike indulge in a riot of colours, smearing colours on each other's faces or dousing each other with coloured water. In some places, effigies of the god of lust are burnt in public bonfires.