Fairs and Festivals of Andhra Pradesh

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 the government of Andhra Pradesh state. These festivals are celebrated with great pomp and gaiety.

¤ Religious Festivals

There are various religious festivals celebrated in Andhra Pradesh. These festivals belong to different religions, but are celebrated with equal excitement and enthusiasm.


¤ Pongal (January)

Famous Pongal, the harvest festival, is celebrated from the 13th to the 15th of January every year. It literally means "boiling over" and is a celebration of the flourishing crops in the fields. This festival basically belongs to farming community, but today it is celebrated throughout the South India. Mainly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.


¤ Sivaratri (February - March)

Sivaratri, is one of the pre-historic festivals celebrated all over India in the months of February/March. This festival is devoted to Lord Shiva, the destroyer. Sivaratri is celebrated by remaining awake throughout the night, visiting the temple and listening to the Vedic recitals and their meanings.


¤ Ugadi (April - May)

Ugadi is the New Year's day in andhra culture. It is celebrated every year after the celebration of 'holi' in April-May.


¤ Vinayaka Or Ganesh Chaturthi (August - September)

Ganesh or Vinayak Chaturthi is celebrated to mark the birthday of Lord Ganesh or Vinayak. This famous festival is celebrated with excitement and enthusiasm throughout the country along with Andhra Pradesh. The duration of Ganesh Chaturthi is ten days and on the tenth day Ganesh idols are immersed in the Hussain Sagar lake.


¤ Diwali (October - November)

Diwali, the festival of light, is celebrated in th 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.


¤ Moharrum (April)

Moharrum is a Muslim festival celebrated in Hyderabad. Other Muslim festivals like Milad-un-Nabi and Id 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.


¤ State Festivals

Andhra Pradesh Tourism conducts four festivals every year. These festivals help the thriving tourism in the state.


¤ Deccan Festival (February)

The Deccan festival is a celebration of Hyderabad's arts, crafts, culture and cuisine. The highlight of the festival are the Pearls and Bangles fair and a food fair. The festival also includes cultural programs, food stalls, arts and craft shops etc.


¤ Lumbini Festival (December)

The Lumbini festival celebrates the Buddhist Heritage of andra Pradesh. This festival is celebrated in Nagarjunasagar and Hyderabad for three days from second Friday of December, every year.


¤ Utsav (January)

The Visaka Utsav is a celebration of the arts, crafts and cuisine of Visakahapatan district. It is celebrated from the 3rd Sunday of January in every year and the duration of the festival is three days.


¤ Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival (October)

The Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival is held in the month of October. This festival displays the arts and cuisine of Rasyalaseema area of Tirupati in Chitoor district.