18 Charming Festivals In Andhra Pradesh You Can’t Miss In 2022
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Andhra Pradesh is one of the famous states in South India where you can experience beautiful traditions and culture during festivals. Andhra Pradesh’s extensive culture and festivals make it one of the most visited states in India. During these wonderful cultural and religious festivals, the home of every Telugi is decorated with great enthusiasm.
Monuments, religious landmarks, and several places in the Southeast are of both mythological and cultural significance. Let us know more about the famous festivals in Andhra Pradesh through this article.
Major festivals and bazaars celebrated in Andhra Pradesh:
We have listed some of the famous bazaars and festivals in Andhra Pradesh which are celebrated with pomp and enthusiasm. To experience the state’s vibrant culture, plan a trip during festivals and fairs.
1. Makara Sankranthi:
Pongal or Makara Sankranthi is celebrated with grand celebrations in every part of India, but each region lends its uniqueness to this beautiful festival. Makara Sankranthi is one of the most popular harvest festivals in India. In Andhra Pradesh, the festival is celebrated for three days. The first day is Bhogi, during which people burn old things in their homes and get rid of negativity. The next day is Sankranthi, the house is beautifully decorated with rangolis and new clothes. The third day is Kanuma, where the festival ends.
Main Attractions: Beautiful rangolis in front of all houses, beautifully decorated cows, fighting cocks, delicious sweet and savory dishes, bull races.
when: January.
Where: throughout the state.
Festival Duration: 3 days.
2. Ugadi:
Ugadi celebrates the new year according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar and is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Andhra Pradesh. In some parts of the country it is also known as Gudi Padwa. The festival features a pickle prepared in six flavors: sweet, spicy, sour, salt, and bitter, depicting the different experiences we face in life and how we should embrace them.
Main Attractions: Prepare a Ugadi Pachadi (Kimchi), a combination of six flavors, Panchanga Sravamam.
when: March or April.
Where: All over Andhra Pradesh.
Festival Duration: one day.
[See Also: Famous Temples in Andhra Pradesh]
3. Vinaya Kachatuti:
Ganesh Chathurthi is one of the famous festivals celebrated all over India. In Andhra Pradesh, the festival is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and it marks the birth of Lord Ganesha. On this auspicious day, people pray to Ganesha with leaves and flowers. They prepare dishes like modak and rice balls, which are considered the favorite foods of the gods.
Main Attractions: A giant panda with an idol of Lord Ganesha.
when: August or September.
Where: All over the state but popular at Kanipakam in Machilipatnam.
Festival Duration: 11 days.
4. Tirumala Tirupathi Brahmotsavam:
Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple is located in Tirupati, Tirumala Tirupathi Brahmotsavam is a Hindu festival celebrated annually at this temple for 9 days. During the nine days of the festival, several ceremonies were held for the lord. On the ninth day, Lord Venkateshwara was brought on a palanquin as a procession. People from all over the world came to witness this happy event.
Main Attractions: The beautiful procession of Lord Venkateshwara is decorated differently every day and also uses a different chariot (vahanam), making it unique.
when: October.
Where: tirumala.
Festival Duration: 9 days.
5. Christmas:
Christmas brings joy not only to the people of Andhra Pradesh but to the whole world. The festival commemorates the birth of Christ and people begin the festival by singing hymns praising the great deeds of Jesus Christ. During this period, Andhra Pradesh organized several melas and fairs. Syrian Christians celebrate the holiday with elaborately decorated elephants, colorful umbrellas and the soulful religious rhythm that characterizes Christmas in the state.
Main Attractions: Beautifully decorated houses and churches, people sing religious hymns.
when: December.
Where: throughout the state.
Festival Duration: two days.
6. Sri Ramanawamy:
Sri Rama Navami commemorates Lord Sri Rama’s birthday. It also marks the marriage of Lord Sri Rama to Sita, which is known as Sitarama Kalyanam. Many delicacies are prepared on this auspicious day, but the main food served as prasad is soaked moong dal and panakam.
Main Attractions: Sri Rama and Kalyanam of Sita.
when: March or April.
Where: Von Timita, Jeonju.
Festival Duration: one day.
7. Diwali:
Diwali is another festival that lights up the whole of Andhra Pradesh beautifully. Also known as the Festival of Lights, it is celebrated on the day of the new moon and is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism. The darkness of the moonless sky is illuminated by magnificent looking fireworks. Bazaars and delicious sweets are the specialties of Diwali in Andhra Pradesh.
Main Attractions: Brightly lit houses and firecrackers.
when: October or November.
Where: All over Andhra Pradesh.
Festival Duration: one day.
8. Maha Shivaratri:
Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the night of Krishna Chaturdasi, a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. People fast during the day and visit temples at night, staying up all night singing devotional songs. Staying awake all night is called jagaran and people perform bhajans to keep them sharp. Shivaratri is considered one of the oldest festivals in Andhra Pradesh.
Main Attractions: People fasted all day, sang hymns to Lord Shiva, and stayed awake all night.
when: February or March.
Where: Kalahasteshwara Temple, Bhramarambha Malikarjunaswamy Temple.
Festival Duration: one day.
[See Also: Andhra Pradesh Famous Food Recipes]
9. Ten colors:
In the southern states of India, Dussehra is known as Vijayadashami and Dasara and is celebrated for ten days. During the nine days of this festival, the goddess is dressed in different incarnations such as Lakshmi, Saraswati, Annapurna, etc. On the tenth day, the goddess is dressed as Durga. Also, some people have a tradition of arranging dolls in an attractive way called “Bommala Koluvu”.
Main Attractions: The goddess wears different incarnations during the nine days, and on the tenth day she is adorned as Durga Devi.
when: September or October.
Where: Vijayawada.
Festival Duration: ten days.
10. Muharram:
Muharram is the second holiest month after Ramadan in Islam. Also, Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year, the first month of the Islamic calendar. In Muslim culture, Muharram is the door to new beginnings and new opportunities in the coming year, so it has great significance in Muslim culture. Also, the festival commemorates Hussein ibn Ali, where Muslims pray for the forgiveness of their sins.
Main Attractions: Muslims gather to ask forgiveness for their sins.
when: August.
Where: throughout the state.
Festival Duration: one day.
11. Sirimanothsavam:
Srimanothsavam is celebrated at the Vizianagaram Pydithalli ammavaru temple in the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh and is considered the most important regional festival. Sirimanu means a large tree, carved in the shape requested by the priest with the permission of the tree owner. During utsavam, carved trees are erected as Sirimanu and enshrined. On the day of the festival, Simanu’s grand procession will pass through the streets of Vizianagaram town.
Main Attractions: Anjali Chariot, White Elephant Chariot and Sirimanu phaladara.
when: October to November.
Where: Vizianagaram.
Festival Duration: more than ten days.
12. Rotella Panduga:
Rotiyaan ki eid or Rottela panduga is celebrated at Bara Shaheed Dargah in Nellore and is an annual three-day festival. The event is a festival of 12 martyrs whose remains are buried in the compound and celebrated during the month of Muharram. People from all over the country visit the shrine and follow the religious practice of exchanging yakiniku.
Main Attractions: People visit shrines and exchange yakiniku.
when: September.
Where: Barah Shaheed Dargah, Nellore.
13. Prabalatham:
Prabhala Theertham or Prabhala panduga is celebrated with great enthusiasm on the third day of Kanuma, the Sankranthi festival. Winter brings nature to life in the Konasima region, making it a favorite tourist destination, while resonating with Telugu culture. During this festival, prepare prabhalu with bamboo and then decorate it with colorful clothes and paper. This prabhalu is used to mount the idol of Lord Shiva and visit Prabhala teertham by going straight to Jagganna thota. Tens of thousands of tourists flock to this place for a wonderful experience.
Main Attractions: Shopping stalls, colorful prabhalu, crowds.
when: January.
Where: Konasima.
Festival Duration: one day.
14. Lakshminarasimha Swamy Kalyanam, Antavidi:
The Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Antarvedi was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. Located at the intersection of the Bay of Bengal and Vashista Godavari, this temple is unforgettable. Lakshminarasimha Kalyana mahotsavam was celebrated beautifully from Magha Sudha Saptami to Magha bahula padyami.
Main Attractions: Kalyanam of Lakshminarasimha Swamy.
when: February March.
Where: Antavidi.
Festival Duration: one day.
15. Visakha Utsav:
Organised by the state government, Visakha Utsav is one of the famous cultural festivals in Andhra Pradesh. This festival helps you explore the culture of South India beautifully and it lasts for four days. Several heritage tours, clothing displays, flower shops, traditional crafts, sporting events and cultural performances are highlights of the festival. People came in large numbers to witness the event.
Main Attractions: Cultural performances, sporting events, traditional crafts.
when: end of December.
Where: RKBridge, Visakhapatnam.
Festival Duration: Four days.
[See Also: Must Visit Waterfalls in Andhra Pradesh]
16. Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival:
Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival is a great place to enjoy the culture, crafts and food of the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. Many people gather in the Rayalaseema area for performances and exhibitions enthusiastically. Therefore, people who want to enjoy authentic culture and food should not miss this festival.
Main Attractions: Authentic local food and cultural performances.
when: October.
Where: Chitur.
Festival Duration: nine days.
17. Lumbini Festival:
Organised by the Andhra Pradesh Government Tourism Department, Lumbini is a Buddhist festival celebrated every December. With the efforts of the state government, this festival perfectly embodies Buddhist culture. It is one of the main festivals in Andhra Pradesh and sees the footsteps of thousands of tourists every year.
Main Attractions: Buddhist art, culture, tradition.
when: December.
Where: Dragon Tree Sharjah.
Festival Duration: three days.
18. Holi:
Holi is called the Festival of Colors. It is celebrated in the month of Phlguna. This happens in March on the British calendar. This is when all are watering each other with paint and colored water. The use of multiple colors in this festival signifies the arrival of a bountiful spring harvest.
India is a country of diverse cultures and traditions. This article gives you a glimpse of the famous festivals and bazaars in Andhra Pradesh which are celebrated with great enthusiasm by the people of the state. Mark the festivities you want to experience on your calendar and plan your trip. If you found this article helpful, don’t forget to let us know!