Bonfires herald Sankranti festivities in Vijayawada
Vijayawada: The three-day Sankranti celebrations began with jubilation across the state on Tuesday with lighting bonfire amidst joy and gaiety. Telugus wearing traditional dresses celebrated the Sankranti festival with rangolis, cockfights, cooking a wide variety of dishes and performing cultural programmes.
Haridasu Keertanalu is a special attraction where Haridasu visits homes and pray for the well-being of people. Already lakhs of Andhra people living in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru and other cities returned to their native places to celebrate the three-day festival.
Makara Sankranti is an important Hindu festival which marks the first day of the Sun's transit into Makara Rasi (Capricorn). Makara Sankranti is also regarded as a crucial day for spiritual practices where people take a holy dip in rivers, and other water bodies offering special prayers to the Pitrudevata (forefathers).
Rural areas also resonate with happiness and festive mood as they get the crop during the season and start enjoying theirs produce. So, they offer prayers to the land and animals for providing them food and wealth.
The first day of the three-day festival began with Bhogi where bonfires are lit in urban and rural areas. Residents of the colonies got together and celebrated the bonfire in early hours.
Ministers, district collectors, superintendents of police, MLAs and other government officials, people's representatives joyfully participate in the three-day celebrations.
Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy participated in the celebrations at Lingavaram village of Gudivada rural mandal on Tuesday. Ministers Kodali Venkateswara Rao, Perni Nani, Velampalli Srinivas, district collector A Md Imtiaz, the MLAs and others welcomed the chief minister.