The Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana marked the vibrant harvest festival of ‘Makar Sankranti’ with great enthusiasm. Villages in both states were adorned with festive decorations, kite flying, traditional sports, and cultural activities during the three-day celebration. Men, women, and children dressed in their finest attire to offer prayers at temples, kickstarting the festivities.
The day of Sankranti, known as the most significant festival, saw houses embellished with marigold flowers and mango leaves. Women created intricate Rangoli patterns in their front yards, incorporating cow dung balls called ‘Gobbemma’ and fresh harvest produce like rice, turmeric, and sugarcane. Additionally, they prepared a special dish called ‘chakkara pongal’ symbolizing abundance, made from new rice, jaggery, and milk.
Unique alm-seekers known as ‘Haridasus’ and ‘Basvannas’ paraded through villages with ornately decorated oxen seeking alms. Farmers honored their bullocks for their role in the harvest, while families reunited in their hometowns for the festive occasion. The festival also witnessed a mass exodus of people from Hyderabad to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with authorities arranging special buses and trains to accommodate the festive rush.
In cities like Hyderabad, the sky was filled with colorful kites, and the air resonated with popular music as youngsters engaged in kite-flying. Despite court orders prohibiting them, cockfights were organized in various places in both states, especially in coastal Andhra Pradesh, where significant bets were placed. Politicians defended the tradition, claiming it as an integral part of Telugu culture, while authorities cracked down on illegal activities associated with the fights.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu celebrated Sankranti with his family in his native village, extending warm wishes to the people. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also conveyed his greetings, highlighting the state’s achievement of procuring a record amount of paddy from farmers at Minimum Support Price during the festival.
