Festivals

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with widespread joy and religious observance throughout Kurnool District, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. The district lights up with thousands of earthen lamps (diyas) and electric lights, decorating every home and commercial establishment. The main day involves elaborate Lakshmi Puja, where families offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, seeking her blessings for the coming year. A major feature of the celebration is the bursting of fireworks and crackers, especially on the evening of Diwali, filling the skies with color and sound. People exchange gifts, traditional sweets (like laddus and kajjakayalu), and savory snacks with neighbors and relatives, strengthening social bonds and community harmony across Kurnool.

Sankranthi, celebrated in mid-January, is one of the most important and elaborate harvest festivals in Kurnool District, spanning four days of festivities. This festival marks the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn) and the official start of the harvest season. The first day, Bhogi, involves burning old household articles in a bonfire, symbolizing discarding the old and welcoming the new. The second and main day is Makara Sankranti, celebrated with special prayers, wearing new clothes, and the preparation of traditional sweet dishes like Pongal and various sweets (ariselu, gavvalu). A unique and cherished tradition in Kurnool, as in many parts of Andhra Pradesh, is Ganga Redlu (Bull Decoration), where decorated oxen are paraded through the villages. The skies are filled with colorful kites, as kite-flying competitions are a popular part of the Sankranti festivities, making it a vibrant celebration of agriculture, family, and community.

Ugadi marks the beginning of the Telugu New Year and is celebrated with immense joy and cultural significance throughout Kurnool District. It typically falls in March or April and heralds the arrival of spring, symbolized by the blooming of neem and mango trees. The day begins with ritualistic oil baths, cleaning the home, and decorating entrances with fresh mango leaves and colorful rangolis. The most significant tradition is the preparation and consumption of Ugadi Pachadi, a unique mixture containing six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent), representing the varied experiences of life in the coming year. Families gather to listen to the Panchanga Sravanam, where a pundit reads out the new year’s forecast based on the calendar, covering crop yield, weather, and general fortunes for the coming months.

Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, is one of the most important festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm and traditional fervor across Kurnool District. It marks the triumphant victory of good over evil, symbolizing the success of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura and Lord Rama’s defeat of Ravana. In Kurnool, the festival is celebrated over nine nights (Navaratri), during which special pujas are performed in temples dedicated to various forms of Goddess Durga. Traditional dances, such as Garba and Bathukamma (though the latter is more prominent in Telangana, it is celebrated in parts bordering the state), are organized, showcasing the rich cultural heritage. The festival culminates on Vijayadashami, which is considered an auspicious time for new beginnings, and often includes public events and fairs, making it a major highlight in the district’s annual calendar.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a vibrant and widely celebrated festival across Kurnool District, marking the birth of Lord Ganesha with immense devotion and fervor. Elaborate pandals are erected in towns and villages, showcasing beautifully crafted idols that become central points for community gatherings and prayers. The district witnesses massive processions during the immersion (visarjan) ceremonies, where devotees enthusiastically carry the idols to local water bodies amidst chants and music. This festival fosters a strong sense of unity and cultural pride, bringing families and communities together in joyful celebration. Beyond the festivities, Lord Ganesha holds a revered place in the daily spiritual life of many in Kurnool, symbolizing wisdom, prosperity, and the remover of obstacles.