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 cusine. This festival also includes
a Pearls and Bangles fair and a food fair. Cultural programs,
food stalls arts and craft shops etc. are 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 as 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 as popular as Dasara in Mysore. Muslims also celebrate
Milad-un-Nabi with
assemblies held Mecca Masjid and at Dar-us-Salaam.