Each religious community has its own major festivals but still it is quite common to see a particular religious community sharing the excitement and happiness of another community. The Hindus, for instance, greet their Christian and Muslim compatriots on occasions like Christmas and Bakrid.
Hindu Festivals
The major festivals of the Hindus in this district are the Ugadi, Dasara, Deepavali and Sankranti.
UGADI is celebrated as the New Year Day of the Telugus usually occuring in March - April (Chaitra Suddha Padyami). Ugadi festival is characterised by the reading of significant passages from the New Years Panchangam (almanac). Feasting, common to all festivals is of course there.
DASARA celebrated by Hindus throughout India has the same significance in this region too. It is a ten-day affair and the celebrations reach a high point on Vijayadasami or the tenth day. This festival usually falls in September - October. Fairs and colourful processions mark the event. The jubilant and excited crowds make this festival even more gay and colorful.
DEEPAVALI well-known as the festival of lights the world over, usually falls in October-November. The new sons-in law wait eagerly for this festival as they are given a warm reception, grand feast and colourful presents.New clothes are worn on this day. The Vaishyas treat Deepavali as the beginning of the new business year. Goddes Lakshmi is worshipped during this festival.
SANKRANTI celebrated for three days in January is much waited for by the children as they are the centre of attraction during this festival. Regu berries and coins are showered over their heads. Sankranti is the harvest festival of the Hindus and celebreted when the harvest is brought in. The cattle are also decorated and taken out amidst drum beatings Shahnai Music. Apart from the major festivals listed above there are many other festivals such as the Sri Ramanavami, Krishna Janmashtami (Sri Jayanti), Ganesh Chaturthi and Mahasivaratri. Holi also known popularly as Kamadahanam or Kamuni panduga is also celebrated in this district with much pomp and gay. It usually falls in February -March. Another festival celebrated with much excitement and enthusiasm is the Bathakamma Panduga. It falls on Asviyuja Suddha Dasami (September - October). Wives pray for the long life of their husbands and the Godess worshipped is representated by the heap of colourful flowers decorated on a wooden plank. There is a lot of singing and dancing associated with this festival. All the womenfolk whether young or old take Bathakammas along with them to a river or to a temple and there they dance and sing in praise of the Goddess.
Muslim Festivals
Major muslim festivals are the Bakrid and Id-ul-fitr. Bakrid is celebrated on the 10th of the last month of the Hijri year when goats and rams are sacrified and the meat is distributed. Ramzan is the most sacred month for the Muslims. Id-ul-fitr is celebrated after a month of fastings and prayers during Ramjan. Other important occasions in the year are Shab-e-barat, Bara Wafat (the day of the Holy Prophet's death) and Muharram (the month in which Imam Hussain was martyred). There are many colourful processions taken out during some festivals and Urs are organised on these religious occasions with great pomp and gay.
Christian Festivals
The Major festivals for the Christians are the Christmas (the birth day of Christ), Good Friday (the day of Crucifiction) and Easter (the day of Resurrection). Ash Wednesday, all soul's day and Harvest Festival are some of the other festivals. In St. Josph's church at Bheemanapalle (in Devarakonda taluka), a festival is celebrated for three days in March and is attended by a congregation consisting of all the Christians, both local and from neighbouring villages.
Jataras and fairs are held in all parts of the district. These are annual occasions celebrated in reverence to a local God or Goddess. Urs are also organised on certain religious occasions. All these make the festivals and celebrations a much awaited affair of mirth and joy.
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