Hyderabad celebrates a rich array of traditional, religious and state festivals such as Deepavali, Dasara, Mohurrum, Shivratri, Deccan Festival, Lumbini Festival, Makara Sankranti, Sivratri, Ugadi, Vinayak Chaturthi, Diwali and Moharrum.
The festivals are full of messages depicting one or more aspects of human life, relationships or ancient traditions.
We've listed many festivals below
Our favourite is organised by the Hyderabad Bangalee Samity
Deccan Festival The Deccan festival celebrates Hyderabad's arts, crafts, culture and cusine. This festival also includes a Pearls and Bangles fair and a food fair. Cultural programs, food stalls arts and craft shops is also organized.
Lumbini Festival This festival celebrates the Buddhist Heritage of Andra Pradesh. The festival is celebrated in Nagarjunasagar and Hyderabad for three days starting on the 2nd Friday of December every year.
Makara Sankranti This is a harvest festival celebrated for 3 days in Mid January. The first day is Bhogi that is spent with gaiety. The second day is Sankranthi when the sun enters the Makara Rasi (the zodiac sign of Capricorn). Traditionally this period is considered an auspicious day. Many families arrange a doll show and invite their friends and give alms to the poor. The third day is Kanuma. The Community being agrarian, acknowledge their gratitude to animals, decorating bulls, and conducting games including cockfights, bullfights and ram fights.
Sivratri It is one of the ancient festivals celebrated all over India in Februaruy/March. It is a religious festival devoted to Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. The devotees dedicate the entire day to the worship of Lord Shiva. During the night people remain awake, go to the temple and listen to the Vedic recitals and their meanings.
Ugadi This native New Year comes soon after the celebration of 'holy' in April-May. Spring is considered as the first season of this native New Year of Andra.
Vinayak Chaturthi: The day when Lord Ganesh or Vinayak was born is celebrated as Vinayak Chaturthi. The day is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm throughout the country. Every year the largest Ganesh idol is installed at Khairatabad in Hyderabad that is taller than thirty feet. On the 11th day of celebration, processions converge at Hussain Sager Lake. The ten-day Ganesh festival concludes with the immersion of Ganesh idols in the lake.
Diwali The festival of light revolves around Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. During the festival the whole country explodes into colour and noise.
Moharrum is celebrated in Hyderabad and is as popular as Dasara in Mysore. Muslims also celebrate Milad-un-Nabi with assemblies held Mecca Masjid and at Dar-us-Salaam.
