Fairs and Festivals

Andhra Pradesh is famous for its varied culture and tradition. One of the highlight of its culture are the numerous festivals celebrated here. Most of these festivals are religious and some are organized by government of Andhra Pradesh state. These festivals are celebrated with great pomp and gaiety.

These are the various festivals celebrated in Andhra Pradesh. These festivals belong to various religions, but are celebrated with equal exciement and enthusiasm.

List of Festivals :

• Pongal The harvest festival, is celebrated from the 13th to 15th of January every year.It literally means "boiling over" and is a celebration of flourishing crops in the fields.Today it is celebrated throughout the South India.
• Sivaratri is one of the pre-historic festivals celebrated all over India in the months of February/March. This festival is devoted to Lord Siva.
• Ugadi is the New year day in Andhra culture. It is celebrated every after the celebration of holi in April/May.
• Vinayaka Chavithi/Ganesh Chaturdhi is celebrated to mark the birthday of lord Ganesh. The duration of Ganesh Chaturthi is ten days and on thenth day Ganesha idols are immersed in the lake.
• Diwali/Deepavali the festival of light, is celebrated in the entire country including Andhra Pradesh. This festival is dedicated to the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. It is celebrated by decorating house with lights and burning crackers.
• Moharam is a muslim festival. Other Muslem festivals like Milad-un-Nabi are also celebrated with assemblies held at Mecca Masjid and at Dar-us-Salaam. These festivals are also celebrated with equal happiness all over the country.

Andhra state festival A.P Tourism conducts four festivals every year.These Festivals help the thriving tourism in the state.

• Deccan Festival is a celebration of Hyderabad's arts, crafts,culture and cuisine. The highlight of the festival are the perals and bangles fair and food fair. It also includes food stalls, arts and craft shops and many more...It is celebrated every year in February.
• Lumbini Festival celebrates the Buddhist Heritage of Andhra Pradesh. The festival is celebrated in Nagarjunasagar and Hyderabad for Three days from second Friday of December.
• Visaka Ustav is the celebration of the arts, crafts and cuisine of Vishakapatanam District. It is celebrated from the 3rd sunday of January for 3 days.
• Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival is held in the month of October. This is also celebration of Arts and Cuisine of Rayalaseema.