Andhra Pradesh is one of the most significant states in India both culturally and mythologically. The southeastern state has several places, religious landmarks, and monuments. Thousands of pilgrims visit the state every year as it possesses historical places like Tirumala Venkateswara Temple the shrine of Lord Vishnu situated on a hilltop.
Andhra Pradesh is one of the most visited Indian states because of its large spectrum of cultures and festivals. The state of Jasmines has a distinct flavor with a cultural tempering. Festivals in Andhra Pradesh have their own unique fragrance that magnetizes millions of followers and tourists, along with the local dance forms like Kuchipudi.
12 Festivals In Andhra Pradesh
Here we are listing out 12 most famously observed festivals in Andhra Pradesh. If you are planning to take a fruitful trip to Andhra Pradesh then you may match your timeline in accordance with these festivals to see the vibrant culture practiced here. The beauty of these Andhra Pradesh festivals is that they are all celebrated with huge pomp in the state making it a huge sight to behold. Let us now discuss in detail some of the famous festival of Andhra Pradesh that might interest you.
- Pongal – Observed At The Inception Of The Harvesting Season
- Ugadi – Celebrated As The New Year’s Day
- Vinayaka Chaturthi – Marked As The Birthday Of Lord Ganesha
- Visakha Utsav – Amazing Cultural Festival In South India
- Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam – The Festival Of Lord Brahma
- Lumbini Festival – Highlights Buddhist Culture
- Rayalaseema Food & Dance Festival – Biggest Art Mela
- Deccan Festival – Dedicated to Hyderabad’s Art And Crafts And More
- Christmas – Commemorates The Birth Of Jesus Christ
- Diwali – The Festival Of Light
- Maha Shivratri – A Festival Dedicated To Lord Shiva
- Dussehra – Celebrates The Victory Of Good Over Evil
1. Pongal – Observed At The Inception Of The Harvesting Season
Pongal or Makar Sankranti is celebrated in almost every part of India. It is one of the popular harvest festivals of India. People of Andhra Pradesh celebrate Pongal in a unique way. They dress up in ancient characters present in their mythology, and guests are invited for the feast and distributed sweets.
The Pongal festival is celebrated for four straight days, the first day is dedicated to burn old articles they call the day as Bhogi Panduga, the second day is Pongal is Pedda Panduga where people attire themselves with new clothes. The third day is Mattu Pongal and the fourth day of the festival culminates with the Kanuma Panduga
Time to visit: The most ideal time to visit Andhra Pradesh for the Pongal festival is during the mid of January. In 2024, the festival will be celebrated from 14th to 17th of January.
Location: Guntur, is a small town in Andhra Pradesh which celebrates Pongal enthusiastically.
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2. Ugadi – Celebrated As The New Year’s Day
Ugadi also known as Gudi Padwa in some parts of India is a widely celebrated festival in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. People in Andhra Pradesh celebrate Ugadi according to the lunisolar calendar in Hinduism, Lots of delicious sweets are made on the day like Puran Poli and Bhakshya.
The people follow a trend of making a garland of banana leaves and hang them up on the door. New clothes, lights, and sweets followed special PUJA (prayer) make the day special.
Time to visit: The best time to visit Andhra Pradesh for this particular festival will be at the end of March of every year. In 2024, this festival will be celebrated on the 2nd of April.
Location: Ugadi is celebrated with most excitement and enthusiasm in the city of Hyderabad and Vijayawada.
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3. Vinayaka Chaturthi – Marked As The Birthday Of Lord Ganesha
Famously known as Ganesha Chaturthi in Maharashtra the festival is one of the most widely spread festivals of India marked as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. People of Andhra Pradesh call it Vinayaka Chaturthi, Vinayaka is one of the titles bestowed upon Lord Ganesha. On this grand festive day, people of Andhra Pradesh worship The Lord with leaves, flowers, sandal paste, vermilion, kheer, etc.
The festival ends with the immersion of the idol of Lord Ganesha into the river as a holy tradition in Hinduism. The festival of Lord Ganesha falls in August-September every year and is one of the important Andhra Pradesh festivals.
Time to visit: The most suitable time of the year to experience the Vinayaka Chaturthi in Andhra Pradesh is at the end of August. It goes on for 11 days every year.
Location: The most popular place where Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm is in Hyderabad, Kanipakam, and Machilipatnam.
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4. Visakha Utsav – Amazing Cultural Festival In South India
This is one of those cultural and famous festival of Andhra Pradesh which is organized by the state government. The four-day festival started back in 1997. People come in large numbers to witness cultural shows, sports events, traditional crafts, an exhibition of garments, flower shops, and several heritage tours.
Visakha Utsav happened to be one of the most famous cultural festivals in South India. If you love exploring cultures then this festival could be on your next list. Visakha Utsav is celebrated for four days in December every year.
Time to visit: The festival of Visakha starts by the end of December every year. It has a duration of 4 days.
Location: The main festival is carried out at R K Bridge in Visakhapatnam.
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5. Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam – The Festival Of Lord Brahma
This is a vastly celebrated Hindu festival at the Tirumala Venkateswara temple in Tirupati. The festival of Lord Brahma lasts for nine days every year in October. It is believed that Lord Brahma was the first to start this festival in the temple. Several rituals are followed during the nine festive days in Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam. On the last day of Brahmotsav, a huge crowd comes to witness the bliss scenes of the procession of Lord Venkateswara which pass by several streets before reaching the temple.
The process goes on till midnight and the scenes at Tirumala town are always breath-taking. Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam is celebrated every year in the month of October.
Time to visit: The festival of Lord Brahma has a duration of 10 days. It starts approximately from September end.
Location: The city of Tirumala is the place where this festival takes place. The city of Tirumala has located 22 km from Tirupati.
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6. Lumbini Festival – Highlights Buddhist Culture
This Buddhist festival is organized by the Department of Tourism of the state government in Andhra Pradesh. Buddhism had a great significance in medieval Andhra Pradesh so this festival is an effort of the government to highlight the Buddhist culture. The Lumbini festival is celebrated in the region of Hyderabad (now the capital of Telangana) and Nagarjunasagar.
This three-day festival sees the footfalls of thousands of visitors every year in the month of December and is one of the major festivals in Andhra Pradesh.
Time to visit: The Buddhist festival is carried during the month of December.
Location: Especially this festival, it is highly celebrated in Nagarjunasagar, Hyderabad.
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7. Rayalaseema Food & Dance Festival – Biggest Art Mela
This the biggest Art Mela in Andhra Pradesh dedicated to Crafts, Food and Cultural Dances. The people of the Chittoor district gather at the Rayalaseema region to be part of great shows and exhibitions. In 2016 Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival was listed in the top 5 Indian Food and Art festivals.
This festival is organized every year in October, which is the prime festive season. People who are fond of cultural dances or food end up landing in the Rayalaseema region to witness some of the unique forms of dances, cuisines, and crafts.
Time to visit: The ideal time to experience this fantastic festival is during the month of October.
Location: The city of Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh celebrates this food and dance festival mainly during the month of October.
8. Deccan Festival – Dedicated to Hyderabad’s Art And Crafts And More
Image Credit – Raju Kasambe from Wikimedia
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
Deccan Festival is one of the most celebrated and famous festival of Andhra Pradesh. It is a five day long festival celebrated in many important places in Hyderabad. The festival is dedicated to Hyderabad’s art, cuisine and culture. Many local fairs and exhibitions are held at several places. Food festivals are also celebrated to cherish to amazing cuisine of this state.
The nights during this time hosts various cultural programs like dance performances, poetry sessions. Held in the month of February or March, if you happen to visit this time make sure to experience this vibrant festival and buy a few unique items like Hyderabadi pearls.
Time to visit: Hyderabadi festival is celebrated during the month of February or March
Location: Deccan Festival is celebrated at Qutub Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad
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9. Christmas – Commemorates The Birth Of Jesus Christ
Image Credit – Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Christmas is not only an important festival for the people of Andhra Pradesh but for the entire world. It is observed to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ on Earth. The day beautifully starts listening to the church choirs describing the scared deeds of Jesus.
Many melas and fairs are also organised during this time in the state. What makes the Christmas unique in Andhra Pradesh is that the Syrian Christians observe this festival with colorful umbrellas, well-decorated elephants, and soulful religious rhythms.
Time to visit: It starts on Dec 24th eve and ends by the end of Dec 25th
Location: Across all the places in Andhra Pradesh
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10. Diwali – The Festival Of Light
Image Credit – Amol Sharma from Pixabay
Diwali is another festival celebrated with much enthusiasm in Andhra Pradesh. Also known as the Festival of Light, it is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated all around the world on the new moon day known as Amavasya. During this amazing time, you can find a lot of fireworks. The speciality of the festival is the tasty Diwali sweets of this state and the fairs which are conducted at various places. It is among the most famous festivals of India.
Time to visit: It is celebrated on the new moon day. IT starts approximately in the month of October or November
Location: Across all the places in Andhra Pradesh
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11. Maha Shivratri – A Festival Dedicated To Lord Shiva
Image Credit – Veerendra from Pixabay
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
Maha Shivratri is a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva and is celebrated on the night of Krishna chaturdashi. People fast on this day and visit the temples to offer their prayer. A lot of shows and performances are organised in the temples at night. It is believed to be one of the oldest festivals of Andhra Pradesh.
Time to visit: It is celebrated on the 13th or the 14th day of the dark half of Phalgun that falls mostly during the months of February or March
Location: The Kalahasteshwara Temple and Bharamarambha Malikarjunaswamy Temple are two most important temple to offer prayers
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12. Dussehra – Celebrates The Victory Of Good Over Evil
Image Credit – Ekabhishek from Wikimedia
The festival of Dussehra is popularly known as Vijayadashami and Dasara in the south. Vijayadashami is celebrated for 10 days where people pay their respect to Goddess Durga. People of the state visit the temple of Goddess Durga and wear beautiful traditional attires. Another important aspect which people of this state follow is to set up the ‘Bommala Koluvu’ at their homes. This is a beautiful arrangement of dolls and toys. This 10 days festival is considered as one of the popular festivals in October in India.
Time to visit: It is celebrated on the 13th or the 14th day of the dark half of Phalgun that falls mostly during the months of February or March
Location: Witness the celebration at Durga temple at Warangal and Alampur Jogulamba temple
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These are the most famous festivals in Andhra Pradesh, a state that is culturally rich in festivals and preservation of heritage. This unique aspect of the state has made it to the ranks of the most religiously visited regions in the country. If you are determined to plan your next trip to Andhra Pradesh then do visit at the time of these festivals. The arts and festive colors of the state will not only immerse you in its glory but will also leave an everlasting imprint.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Festivals In Andhra Pradesh
Which is the most famous festival of Andhra Pradesh?
There are several festivals that are celebrated in a unique way but Ugadi is the most famous of all. The Telugu new year eve receives a massive crowd gathering with a great festive day of celebration.
What is the harvest festival of Andhra Pradesh called?
The harvest festival of Andhra Pradesh is popularly known as Pongal which is celebrated with full vigour in the second week of January every year. Pongal signifies the celebration of flourishing crops in the fields.
Is there any special festival in Andhra Pradesh?
Some of the popular festivals celebrated in Andhra Pradesh with great enthusiasm are Pongal, Ugadi, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Visakha Utsav, Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam, Lumbini Festival, Rayalaseema Food & Dance Festival, Deccan Festival and Christmas.
How is Sankranti celebrated in Andhra Pradesh?
Sankranti is also known as Pongal in Andhra Pradesh is celebrated for 4 days where people dress up as mythological characters. They prepare sweet rice called Pongal, they burn old articles and invite guests at home and enjoy the occasion as a big family.
What are the best places in Andhra Pradesh to celebrate major festivals?
There are different places in Andhra Pradesh where people celebrate major festivals like Pongal, which is celebrated in Guntar, Ugadi in Hyderabad and Vijayawada, Vinayaka Chaturthi in Kanipakam and Machilipatnam, Lumbini in Nagarjunasagar.
What special dishes are prepared at festivals in Andhra Pradesh?
Festive recipes in Andhra Pradesh include sweet Pongal, Ven Pongal, Rice Kheer, Sakinalu, Bendakaya Vepudu, Carrot Halwa, Pulihora, Chepa Pulusu, Paal poli, Mongo rabri, Kanchipuram idlis and many more delicacies.
What special dress is worn by people on Pongal in Andhra Pradesh?
People generally turn their shirtdress into a tunic and pair it with a metallic skirt as bottoms. Women mostly prefer Upadda Silk Saree with Guttapusalu Necklace, Half Saree with Pearl and Kundhan Rani Haar, Yellow Anarkali with Silver Jhumakas and Bangles or Cotton Kurti.
How is the Deccan festival celebrated in Andhra Pradesh?
Deccan festival happens to be one of the most popular and celebrated festivals of Andhra Pradesh which is celebrated for five long days and is dedicated to art, culture and cuisine of Hyderabad thereby bringing the spirit of the Hyderabad city to life.
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