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Andhra Pradesh Fairs and Festivals

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Andhra Pradesh is known to be a state that is high on celebrations and the festivals are celebrated with great zeal and gaiety. Festivals and Fairs of this state are popular across India for all the grandeur and pompous these festivals are celebrated with. There are many festivals listed, also highlights the multifarious ness of the culture and tradition of the state of Andhra Pradesh. All the festivals are quite religious and many fairs are formatted across the venues. These colorful fairs add up to the enthusiasm and excitement to the festive mood. Social interaction is the main motto behind organizing all these fairs.

Temple fairs of these states are very famous. You can always experience the significance of the customs and traditions that stills subsists in all the villages of Andhra Pradesh. You will also see the celebration of community life. The celebration includes glorification of culture, art, entertainment and variety of food according to the community. You can also have the pleasure viewing some of the unique live dance performance of folk and classical Dance and music. Some of the unique fairs and festivals celebrated in this state include Varalakshmi Vratam, Bathukamma Festival, Toli Ekadasi, Makar Sankranti, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Jatra Edamma, Gollagattu Jatra, Antarvedi Fair, Chandana Yatra etc.

Bathukamma

Fast Facts:

This is a very special carnival is celebrated through great gaiety and fervor in the region of Telangana. The meaning of this word is immortal woman. This festival is on for a month .In this festival goddess Batakamma is adored and after a month, the idol is immersed on the lakes and rivers. This is known to be a festival of flowers. This festival falls in the month of September to October on the eve of Asvija Shuddha Dasami.

The Fragrance of a Woman:

This fiesta is commemorated to celebrate the glory of womanhood and a heavenly situate in the clan set up. At the time of the festival of Batakamma Goddess Gauri, who is known, as the patron of Womanhood is adored by all women’s with all the piety and devotion.

The Legends:

It is believed that Bathukamma was the offspring of Chola Dynasty King Dharmangada & Queen Satyavati. It is said that they had 100 sons but had lost them in the arena. The king and queen had offered serious prayers to divinity Lakshmi to be intuitive in their life as their daughter. As Goddess Lakshmi or Bathukamma took birth in this palace, many saints from far off had come to the palace to sanctify her and with immortality, thus the name Bathukamma or live-everlastingly.

This festival is also celebrated by the men as they help in setting up the mountain of flowers. Bathukamma is feted with gaiety and joy. During this festival, there are dramas, dance performances and music performances, which are the added feature of this festival as many locals and tourists come here to witness this grandeur celebration. Jatras, are the special feature that is held at the time of this holy festival. Do visit Telangana to witness this unique and enduring festival that celebrates the glory and importance of womanhood.

Makar Sankranti and Kanumu

Fast Facts:

Makar Sankranti is a major festival celebrated in Andhra Pradesh. This is a harvest festival and people of Andhra Pradesh look forward to celebrate this exotic festival. This festival is marked as the thanksgiving festival to the god for a good harvest by the farmers. As the crops are harvested, the farmers are happy and have both leisure and money to celebrate this festival.

Houses are cleaned and decorated, cattles are given shower and decorated with garlands .The women’s and young girls decorate the courtyard with colorful Rangoli. Labourers are given sweets and new clothes by the farmers they work for. Many mouthwatering dishes are prepared to celebrate this festival. Many of the wealthy families arrange Bommala Koluvu means doll show and invite relatives and friends to witness this grandeur in the evening.

The festival is on for 3-4 days .The days are given names as the Bhogi (1st day), Sankranti (2nd day), Kanuma (3rd day) and the Mukkanuma (4th day).On the first day each and every member of the family gets up early in the morning and dung cakes are prepared to lit up Bhogi Flames at the courtyard where the entire family gathers. After this, the entire family takes head Bath.

On the second day (Sankranti) known as the main day. The newly wed groom receives enormous courtesy and respect in the house of their in laws. The third day known as the kanumu Festival that is basically festival celebrated by the farmers. The cattles are decorated by garlands and are also offered special treatment without whom the enormous cultivation is not possible and the wealth cannot be generated. Daasarlu, Buda-Budakkalu and Gangireddu goes around the locality collecting alms and singing songs. On this, day people give alms to the beggars and particularly never deny to anybody.

Kodi Pandaalu:

Kodi Pandaalu is also called, as Cock fighting is a popular rural sport involves fight between the huge cocks. This festival is very famous in the rural area of Andhra Pradesh. On this eve People bet on cocks as these cocks are trained for this festival. These cocks are stirred with knife feets and try to attack opponent. The cockfights are basically held at the huge courtyards of the wealthy farmers. The betting is sometimes goes in lakhs as the wealth of the one betting increases. This sport is usually played on the eve of Makar Sankranti and attracts large crowds.

Vaikunta Ekadashi

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Fast Facts:

Vaikunta Ekadashi is celebrated in the month of December or January as Margaseersha according to the Hindu calendar. This festival is welcomed with full sedateness in all Vishnu Temples. This festival is celebrated to commemorate as during this day Sagara Mathana also known as churning of the ocean and Amrit also known as nectar emerged from the sea and was disseminated amongst all the gods. This day is considered to be very sacred by the Hindus and according to the mythology, it is considered that those who gets parted from this world on this day, their souls are free from this world that is from the circle of death and birth and they straight away reach Vaikuntha, place where Lord Brahma resides. This is the same reason because of which King Bhishma was waiting in his bed of arrow to die.

Fasting:

Fasting is dictated on all the Ekadashis (i.e. 11th day every lunar fortnight that comes 2 times in a month).As it is said that this is Kali Yug, last Yug amongst the four Yugas. It is believed that if you observe just one Ekadashi with faith, devotion and dispassion in this Kaliyug then you will be free from the cycle of death and birth and is popularly believed amongst the crowd.

On this day, the devotees keep fast for the day, chant shlokas and do Hari Kirtan also known as devotional kirtans and Japa also known as meditation .Some observes Nirjala Upvas also known fast without having a drop of water. As this is not mandatory and people observe this because of devotions, the one who is unable to fast and still have that determination to do can have milk and light fruits.

A Belief:

It is said that rice should not be consumed on this day as sweat that had fallen from the head of lord Brahma had taken the shape of Demon and that demon had asked him to provide a inhabit ti live and Lord Brahma had asked him to go down to the earth and dwell on the rice particles that is eaten by the mankind .This all happened on the same kind and it is believed that those who consume rice it is transited in to worms inside the stomach. If you observe each and every Ekadashi then lord, Vishnu is impressed and he will destroy all the sins and your mind will be purified.

In South India people observe all the Ekadashis intensely and are considered to be a sacred day. Fasting helps you to go near God with full spirituality and devotions nurtured by yourself. As scientifically fasting once in a month is considered to give rest to your stomach from all the hazardous stuffs you have eaten around.

Legends:

According to the Mythological Legends demon, Mura used to disturb the Gods and they had approached Lord Vishnu to give them protection from the deadly demon. Lord Vishnu had sent Yoga Maya to destroy the deadly demon. Yoga Maya Had successfully completed the task and Lord Vishnu told Yoga Maya that those who will fast on this day will be free from sins and Yoga Maya was from then known to be Ekadashi.

King Ambarisha was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and he used to observe Ekadashi .Lord Vishnu got impressed with his devotions and got his wisdom. He had fasted continuously for three days and was about to break his fast when Durvasa Rishi appeared in his palace. King Ambarisha welcomed him with complete request and had asked him to take meal. Rishi Durvasa went to the river to take bath before the meal. The King had waited for the Rishi to return and have the meal.

As the day was passing by and the king had to break his fast as it won’t bear any fruit if he did not break his fast and if he had his meal then that would have been disgrace shown to the Rishi .The King had little water as a compromise. Rishi Durvasa got angry by this act and had charged him with his hair that had stunned the king. The chakra or the discus of Lord Vishnu followed the Rishi where ever he went. As the Rishi got scared, he went to Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma for help but of no use. Lord Hari had advised Rishi Durvasa to go to King Ambarisha and beg for pardon. King Ambarisha prayed to Lord Vishnu to forgive the rishi and saved his life.

This story tells us that God is forever their for his devotees and always will help his devotees in joy as well as sorrow.

Bonalu

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Fast Facts:

Bonalu is a folk festival, which is a very popular festival in the region of Telangana. The word Bonalu means food and is derived from Bhojanalu. This festival is celebrated from quite a long time and is celebrated with great devotional fervor and gaiety. Bonalu festival is celebrated in the month of Ashadha and is on or a month. This festival is also marked with singing of devotional songs and worship of the village deities Mahankali, Pochamma, Yellamma, Gundamma and Maisamma.

The unique feature of this festival includes Ghatams or the decorated pots that are filled with colorful flowers and are carried on the head by the women’s in the processions. Cooked rice placed in polished brass utensil that is decorated by Neem leaves are also carried to worship the local deity and the men participate by beating drums.

Women’s are dressed in new and colorful attires dances along the processions with the pots on their head to the fervously beats of the drums and sings songs in the praise of the deity of Mahankali. Male dancers are known as the Potharajus follows the female dancers. This goddess is said to be the protector of the entire village.

This festival is also celebrated great poise in the cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad. During this holy festival Shree Jagadambika Temple located at the top of Golconda Fort attracts hoards of devotes from the neighboring area. Some of the Muslim Emperors also idolized this festival as they offered prayers in the same temple that has been marked as the popularity of the temple. Puja is offered by the State Government on behalf of the mankind. Bonalu is known to be the festival of families sharing the offerings amongst the other members of the families.

Vara Lakshmi Vrata

Fast Facts:

Sri Devi also called, as Goddess Lakshmi is the accord of Lord Vishnu. Goddess Lakshmi is considered to be the goddess of prosperity and wealth. Wealth includes moral, ethical qualities, power of the mind, and noble value of life. Fridays are believed to be the sacred for doing Lakshmi Puja. The month of Shravan is considered to be the sacred month and Varalakshmi Vrata is performed for longevity and boon of the husbands by the wives. Lord Shiva has depicted the importance of this festival in Skanda Purna.

Goddess Lakshmi:

Hindu Goddess Lakshmi showers wealth, material prosperity and also bestows divine wisdoms to everyone. She is also known as the Vidya Shakti and the only goddess to introduce salvation. Goddess Lakshmi has the power of Lord Hari or Lord Vishnu. Narayan is Almighty’s aspect of savings. Lord Narayana is the incarnation of Shuddha Sattwa and Lakshmi is Lord Narayan casual body. Goddess Lakshmi is considered to be Maya, the illusive natural power. She leads the entire world with veiling and projecting power. With the power as Vidya Lakshmi, she enlightens the sacred aspirants. Prosperity, modesty, music, love, and the enchanting landscape are the 5 elements and the combination of the organs like mind, intellect and the internal life are all the manifestations.

Without the manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi Sanyasins or the female saints cannot run their institutions. The importance of Goddess Lakshmi is more to them than their dwelling place. It’s been seen that all the great saints and philosophers who have gone places in their respective fields are devotees of Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi. The great Saint Sri Shankara used to worship Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi to seek success in his deeds.

The Festivity:

After taking bath , the lady who performs Puja puts on fresh and clean cloth and cleans the overall hall were the Puja is performed and also draws a lotus. Also kept is the Kalash or a pot that is filled with rice and is topped mango leaves, cloth and a coconut is also placed. Goddess Lakshmi is conjured therein. Fresh grain is also used as they depict prosperity and growth.

After the adoration of the mighty Kalaash, Lord Ganesha is worshipped and then Raksha or the sanctified thread is worshipped. After this the primary Puja begins and the Raksha is worshipped for the second time and is entangled on the right hand of the lady who performs the puja. Sweets like Laddu and Payasam, many varieties of fruits and milk are offered to Goddess Lakshmi.

She is also worshipped with different types of flowers like Marigold, Lotus, and Jasmine etc. Many of the devotees purchase gold on this day as it is considered to be a very sacred day and is placed near the idol of the goddess to seek her blessings. Many charity works are also done on this day, as it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi showers blessings in the form of wealth on this day.

Vinayaka Chaturthi

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Fast Facts:

This festival is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Lord Ganesh. It is one of the most sanctified day and falls on every fourth day of the fortnight of the month of august or September and Bhadrapada according to the Hindu calendar. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by all the Hindus in India as well as abroad.

Lord Ganesha is known to be the God of wisdom and power. Lord Ganesha has the head of an elephant and hence also called as the elephant headed god. The unique feature about this god is that Lord Ganesha is worshipped first in any Puja. His name is chanted before beginning any good work and worship. Lord Ganesha is the oldest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the eldest brother of Kartikeya or Skanda. He is considered to be the lifeline and energy of God Shiva hence he is known as the son of Shankar and Uma devi. Lord Ganesha is worshipped by the mothers of sons in order to earn the same kind of virtues that Lord Ganesha had for his parents.

Legends:

Lord Ganesha is known for his eating tactics, as he likes modak or sweet puddings made from sweet and rice flour. On his birthday, he went from one house to another accepting sweet modaks at night with his companion, a mouse. Suddenely his mouse stopped in the way seeing a snake, as he was afraid. Due to the jerk, he fell off from the back of the mouse, .From the combustion Lord Ganesha stomach bristle open and all the modaks came out. Lord Ganesha collected all the sweets and englutted them back and had also catched that snake, entangled around his belly. The moon and Sky were watching this and had a hearty laugh together.

Due to this insulting behaviour of moon ,lord Ganesha pulled his tusk and chucked it opposing the moon and also cursed that one who will look at the moon on the Ganesha Chaturthi will earn bad name or ill reputation. However if one looks at the moon by mistakenly then the only way to get free from the curse is by going through the story of Lord Krishna’s character “Syamantaka” this story is quoted in Srimad Bhagavatam.

Ganesha had a dispute with one of his brother regarding who was oldest and the matter was taken to their father, Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva thought the only way to prove the theory is the one who will encircle the whole universe and come back first at the starting point would be the winner. Lord Subramanya quickly went on his vehicle Peacock as the instruction by his father but Lord Ganesha lovingly and worshiping fully went around his parents. This act of Lord Ganesha impressed his parents, Lord Shiva had asked him for the reason, and he replied that his parents represent the entire universe. This wise reply settled the dispute in favor of Ganesha and thus concluded Lord Ganesha to be the oldest o the clan. Goddess Parvati also gave him a gift in the form of a fruit.

Festival:

On the eve of Ganesha Chaturthi, stories regarding Lord Ganesha are discussed from early morning. The devotees go to Ganesha temple after having bath to offer modaks, coconut and his favorite flowers and Puja .If you pray to him with full dedication and devotion then he will answer all your prayers and set you free from all your sorrows and also will clear your spiritual path.

Decorations:

The floor of the houses is decorated with designs made up of rice flours and colored powders. In addition, an idol of clay is made and worshipped. The idol is decorated with flowers and an umbrella nestles behind Lord Ganesha. Puja takes place where 108 different names of Lord Ganesha are repeated and same amount of flowers are placed in front of the idol during the Puja.

Many different types of sweet puddings are made and placed in front of the idol of Lord Ganesha. Also many types of fruits are offered .After the Puja people listen to the kathas or the stories related to Ganesha Chaturthi. After that they seek blessings from the idol of Lord Ganesha also pray to Lord Ganesha to give them inner strength and success in their respective life.

The idol is worshipped for one and a half day, five days, seven days, eleven days and twenty-one days accordingly. After the Puja , the idol of Lord Ganesha is immersed. Damayanti, wife of King Nishada, Lord Krishna, the expositor of the sacred Bhavatgita, Indra, the king of Gods and Yudhishthira, one of the main character of the Epic Mahabharata idolized Ganesha to seek his blessings.

Deccan Festival

Deccan Festival is held in Hyderabad, the state capital, every year on 25th February. The five days long fair is accompanied by ghazal nights, qawalis and mushairas are organized in the fair. Hyderabad arts, crafts, culture, and cuisine are the main highlights of the fair.

Lumbini Festival

Lumbini festival is held from second Friday of December to Sunday by the Tourism Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The fair is arranged to highlight the Buddhist heritage and places of the state. The fair gives a good chance to visit the Buddhist remains of the state.

Visakha Utsav

Vishakha Utsav is organized by A.P. tourism department every year from third Friday to Sunday in the month of January. It is the most exclusive event, which shows the traditions and culture in the form of arts, crafts, music, dance and food.

Pushkaram Festivals

Pushkaram is regarded as a religious gathering to take a dip in the holy river Godavari, Krishna and Pennar. Various stalls and kiosks of handicraft items are set up near the venue. Food stalls sell several local delicacies from where sweets can be purchased. Near the venue the tourists can see some wonderful performances of Kuchipudi, the classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh.

Other prominent fairs of the state are Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival, Pearls and Bangle fair and All India Festival of Arts and Crafts at Shilparamam.

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