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Hyderabad
has traditional, religious and state
festivals organized and celebrated in
the city. These festivals are full of
messages depicting one or more aspects
of human life, relationships or ancient
traditions. Many of these festivals such
as Deepavali, Dasara, Mohurrum,
Shivratri, etc. are celebrated nation
wide. Some of the popular festivals are
briefed below.
Deccan Festival :
The Deccan Festival highlights
Hyderabad's arts, crafts, culture and
cuisine. This festival also includes a
Pearls and Bangles fair and a food fair.
Cultural programs, food stalls arts and
craft shops etc. is also organized.
Lumbini Festival:
This festival is organized to celebrate
the Buddhist Heritage of Andra Pradesh.
The festival is celebrated in
Nagarjunasagar and Hyderabad for three
days from 2nd Friday of December every
year.
Makara Sankranti:
This harvest festival is celebrated for
3 days in Mid January. The first day is
Bhogi that is spent with gaiety. The
second day is Sankranthi when the sun
enters the Makara Rasi (the zodiac sign
of Capricorn). Traditionally this period
is considered an auspicious day. Many
families arrange a doll show and invite
their friends and give alms to the poor.
The third day is Kanuma. The Community
being agrarian, they acknowledge their
gratitude to the part taking of the
animals. They decorate the bulls,
conduct games including cockfights,
bullfights and ram fights. Rich and poor
alike will have a good time.
Sivratri:
It is one of the pre-historic festivals
celebrated all over India in Februaruy/March.
It is a religious festival devoted to
Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. The devotees
dedicate the entire day to the worship
of Lord Shiva. During the night people
remain awake, go to the temple and
listen to the Vedic recitals and their
meanings.
Ugadi:
This native New Year comes soon after
the celebration of 'holy' in April-May.
Spring is considered as the first season
of this native New Year of Andra.
Vinayak Chaturthi:
The day when Lord Ganesh or Vinayak was
born (created) is celebrated as Vinayak
Chaturthi. The day is celebrated with
devotion and enthusiasm throughout the
country. Every year the largest Ganesh
idol is installed at Khairatabad in
Hyderabad that is taller than thirty
feet. On the 11th day of celebration,
processions converge at Hussain Sager
Lake. The ten-day Ganesh festival
concludes with the immersion of Ganesh
idols in the lake.
Diwali:
The festival of light is celebrated in
Andra Pradesh together with other places
of the country. It is a festival that
revolves around Lakshmi, the goddess of
wealth. During the festival the whole
country explodes into colour and noise.
Moharrum:
It is celebrated in Hyderabad and is as
popular as Dasara in Mysore. Muslims
also celebrate Milad-un-Nabi with
assemblies held Mecca Masjid and at
Dar-us-Salaam. |
