The fifth largest state by population and the fourth largest by area, Andhra Pradesh is located in the South Eastern coast of India. Andhra Pradesh has always been an immense contributor characterizing the cultural heritage of India. Mellow music, crispy cuisine, dazzling dances, native arts and crafts, devout people, their religions and the various fairs and festivals showcase the state’s rich culture. It is believed that the culture of Andhra Pradesh has been swayed and shaped by the dynasties and empires that ruled the state during the different periods. Their influence on the state, gradually, became an indivisible part of the culture of Andhra Pradesh. This also gave a creative touch of different civilizations to the state.
Andhra Pradesh has made a mark in various artistic vocations. The arts and crafts of Andhra Pradesh display the expertise of various artists, who craft their work of arts with utmost precision, making them masterpieces. Their works of art involve a range of handloom products, handicrafts, paintings and a lot more.
Apart from arts and crafts, Andhra Pradesh is extremely popular for their dance and music forms. Kuchipudi, which is one of the most popular dance forms in the country, originates from Andhra Pradesh. Other dance forms like Bhamakalpam, Veeranatyam, Burrakatha, Dappu, Butta Bommalu, Tappeta Gullu, Kolattam, Dhimsa, Lambadi and Bonalu also initiated in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Along with such popular dance forms, the delightful and admired Carnatic music also finds its roots in Andhra Pradesh. This state carries the native soil of popular names associated with the well –liked Carnatic music, which include, Thyagaraja, Muthuswami Dixitar and Shyama Sastri. Added to Carnatic music, Andhra Pradesh is also famous for its folk music, instrumental music and vocal music. The instrument Mridangam found its new meaning by musical starts like Yella Venkatesara Rao, who hail from the state of A.P.
Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity are the major religions that are followed by the people of Andhra Pradesh. The innumerable places of worship throughout the state show the piousness of the Andhraites. Altogether, the state is a mixture of, different people, belonging to different communities, following diverse lifestyles, yet living cordially, and participating in all traditions and festivals of the state.
The festivals and fairs of Andhra Pradesh show the joyous spirits of the inhabitants of the state. Festivals like Holi, Diwali, Sankranti, Eid and many more are celebrated in the state of A.P. Apart from the religious festivals, there are other cultural events too that are organized by the State Government; some of those festivals include the Deccan Festival, Visakha Festival, and Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival. Other famous festivals include Tirupati Festival, Lumbini Festival, Pongal and Ugadi Festival.
Popular Festivals of Andhra Pradesh
Sankranti
Celebrated in the month of January, the Sankranti festival goes on for four days in Andhra Pradesh. This festival is celebrated almost in every town and village accompanied by adventurous games, of which cock fights are a popular in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The inhabitants of Andhra Pradesh also like to call it as ‘Pedda Panduga’, which means ‘big festival’. The first day of the festival is Bhogi, followed by Sankranti, the third day is Kanuma and the fourth day is Mukkanuma.
Pongal
Pongal is another popular harvest vestival of Andhra Pradesh and is celebrated in the month of January. This festival rejoices the abundance of crops in the fields. Initially this was a festival only for the farming community of Andhra Pradesh. However, now this has become one of the most celebrated festivals in the Southern part of India including Andhra Pradesh.
Ugadi
Ugadi is the Telegu New Year that comes in the month of March or April. Telegus across Andhra Pradesh decorate their houses with mango leaves on this festive occasion. They taste the traditional Ugadi Pacchadi which is a mix of raw mango, neem buds, tamarind juice, pepper, salt and jiggery. It is a must during the New Year celebrations. This mixture denotes the combination of various experiences of life, that need to be accepted together to live life to its fullest. The celebrations also involve listening to the ‘Panchangnam’, which is the forecast of the year to come and is done by the Agma Pundits.
Dasara
Dasara or the Vijayadashami holds great importance in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Many important life events like beginning of a new business, purchasing a home or a vehicle, the required rituals are carried out on this day. New items are sanctified in the Ayudha Puja during this festival. Processions take place in all the major cities in the evenings, with people dressed up in various characters from the epic Ramayana. They also perform stage shows known as Ramlila. Large effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Meghnada and Indrajit are burned, hence, indicating the victory of Lord Rama, and the victory of good over the evil. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and show every year and large numbers of people visit the temples during this time of the year.
Maha Shivaratri
The festival of Shivaratri is observed in the months of February or March with great enthusiasm. Devotees mass the different Shiva temples of the state; a couple of the most important Shiva temples being the Bharamarambha Malikarjunaswamy temple at Srisailam and the Sri Kalahasteshwara temple at Kalahasti. Devotees chant mantras, observe fast in this auspicious festival as a tribute to Lord Shiva.
Rama Navami
Rama Navami follows nine days after the Ugadi celebrations, in the month of March or April.
Varalakshmi Vratam
This is a festival to please Goddess Lakshmi and is celebrated in the month of August. This is an important pooja that is performed by the married women in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Vinayaka Chavithi
Celebrated in the month of August, the Vinayaka Chavithi is celebrated with great devotion and gaiety throughout Andhra Pradesh.
Atla Tadde
This is a traditional festival that is celebrated by the married Hindu women. The festival usually takes place on the 3rd night after the full moon, and the Aswiyuja month according to the Telegu calendar, which is the month of September or October.
Deepawali
The Deepawali celebrations take place over two days, i.e. naraka Chaturthasi and Deepawali Amaavasya, in the month of October or November. Deepawali too is one of the most important and popular festivals in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Bonalu
Bonalu is a famous folk festival, mainly celebrated in the Telangana region of Andhrapradesh. It is celebrated in the auspicious month of Sravanam according to the Telegu calendar, which is the month of late July or August.
Bathukamma
Bathukamma is another popular festival in the Telangana region celebrated by the Hindu women during the month of September or October.