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Andhra University Sankranti Festivities Showcase Rural Traditions & Harvest Joy

The Sankranti festivities at Andhra University Grounds in Visakhapatnam successfully concluded after a week-long celebration from January 9 to 16. The event vividly showcased rural traditions through rangolis, bullock cart races, Haridasu performances, and traditional storytelling. Former BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao initiated the event and emphasized the Bhogi ritual's significance in discarding past negativity. The celebrations highlighted the state's rich cultural heritage and drew large crowds, reinforcing the festive spirit of the harvest season.

Key Points: Sankranti Celebrations Conclude at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam

  • Week-long Sankranti celebration at Andhra University
  • Showcased rural life and traditional arts
  • Featured bullock cart races and Burrakatha
  • Culminated with Kanuma marking harvest end
2 min read

Sankranti celebrations showcasing rural traditions conclude at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam

Vibrant Sankranti festivities at Andhra University Grounds showcased rural culture, bullock cart races, traditional food, and Bhogi rituals.

"Today marks the beginning of the four-day Sankranti festival... we pray to God to end any negativity... - GVL Narasimha Rao"

Visakhapatnam, January 17

Visakhapatnam witnessed a vibrant celebration of tradition and culture as Sankranti festivities concluded successfully at the Andhra University Grounds.

The Sankranti event, held from January 9 to January 16, showcased the essence of rural life and traditional celebrations under the initiative of former BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao. The venue came alive with colourful rangolis depicting village culture, traditional bullock cart races, Haridasu performances, Burrakatha storytelling and cultural musical programmes.

The aroma of traditional homemade delicacies added to the festive atmosphere, drawing large crowds from across the city.

The celebrations coincided with the four-day Sankranti festival, which concluded on Friday with Kanuma, marking the culmination of the harvest festivities in Andhra Pradesh.

The event received an enthusiastic response from the public, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh and reinforcing the spirit of Sankranti celebrations.

Meanwhile, former BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao on Wednesday said that Bhogi, the first day of the four-day Sankranti festival, is a time to discard past negativity and pray for prosperity and happiness.

Rao celebrated Bhogi Pongal at the Andhra University Grounds in Visakhapatnam, performing traditional rituals including lighting the bonfire and chanting mantras.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, "Today marks the beginning of the four-day Sankranti festival. On Bhogi day, the first day of the festival, we pray to God to end any negativity we have experienced in the past and to bring prosperity and happiness to everyone. This morning, we lit a bonfire, chanted mantras and conducted a pooja karyakram for Agnidev. May this Sankranti bring happiness in the lives of everyone."

Andhra Pradesh is celebrating Sankranti, the state's biggest harvest festival, with traditional fervour, as elaborate preparations are underway across districts.

Beyond being a day of cleaning and discarding the old, the four-day festival beginning with Bhogi has seen increased activity in villages and towns, with people returning to their hometowns to celebrate with family.

In Chennai, residents lit bonfires outside their homes in a symbolic act of letting go of the past and welcoming a new beginning with the onset of the Tamil month of Thai.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The bullock cart races and the rangolis depicting village life must have been a sight to behold. This is the real India we need to preserve and promote. Kudos to the organizers for putting this together. Feeling proud of our Andhra heritage!
S
Suresh O
While it's good to celebrate, I hope the focus remains on the festival's spirit and not just the political visibility of the organizer. Sankranti is about farmers, harvest, and family. Let's not let any agenda overshadow that simple, beautiful message.
A
Anjali F
The mention of homemade delicacies made me nostalgic! Nothing beats the taste of Sankranti sweets from your grandmother's kitchen. Glad Vizag got to experience this. Wishing everyone a prosperous and happy Pongal! 🪔
K
Karthik V
It's excellent that such events are held in university grounds. Students from other states studying in Andhra get a firsthand experience of our rich culture. This is cultural exchange at its best. Hope they enjoyed the kanuma celebrations too!
M
Michael C
As someone visiting from abroad, reading about this makes me wish I was there. The description of the bonfire ritual for Bhogi, letting go of the past, is a powerful tradition that resonates universally. India's festivals are truly profound.

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