Andhra Pradesh is one of the prominent states in the southern parts of India, and you can experience beautiful traditions and culture during festivals. The large spectrum of cultures and festivals of Andhra Pradesh make it one of the most visited states in India. Every telugite’s home is decorated with great enthusiasm during these fantastic cultural and religious festivals.
The monuments, religious landmarks, and several places in the southeastern state are mythologically and culturally significant. Let us go through this article to know more about the popular and prominent festivals of Andhra Pradesh.
18 Famous Festivals of Andhra Pradesh 2023:
People celebrate some of the famous fairs and festivals of Andhra Pradesh with grandeur. To experience the vibrant culture practiced in this state, plan a trip during these festivals and fairs. We have listed the important festivals of Andhra Pradesh.
1. Sankranthi in Andhra Pradesh:
Sankranti or Makar Sankranti is the biggest harvest festival celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and across India. It is the main festival of Andhra Pradesh which is celebrated for 4 days in the month of January every year. During this festival, all the people who have gone for jobs and business in cities and other countries return to their villages to celebrate this festival with friends and family. During these 4 festival days, all the houses are decorated with beautiful rangolis and colourful flower garlands and various traditional dishes are prepared for the festival.
Each day of the festival has its significance, The first day is Bhogi, during which people light bonfires early in the morning and burn old items in their homes to get rid of negativity. The second day Makara Sankranti is the starting day of Uttarayanam, also known as Padda Pandaga (big festival) in AP, the main day of this festival is celebrated with prayers, new clothes and lots of sweets. The third day is Kanuma, the festival of cattle, cattle are also considered members of the family, so cattle are also decorated and displayed in traditional ways on these occasions and people eat various non-vegetarian dishes on this day. On the fourth day, Mukkanuma where the festival ends.
- Key Attraction: Beautiful rangolis in front of all houses, ox decorated beautifully, Cockfights, Delicious sweet and savory dishes, Bulls race.
- Sankranthi Festival Date 2023: 14th Jan 2023 – 17th Jan 2023.
- Where: All over the state.
- Duration of Festival: 4 days.
2. Prabhala Theertham:
Prabhala Theertham or Prabhala panduga is a 400 years old traditional festival celebrated with much enthusiasm on the third day of the Sankranthi festival Kanuma in Konaseema, Andhra Pradesh. The winter season brings nature alive in the Konaseema region, making it a favorite tourist destination while resonating with the Telugu culture. During this festival, use bamboo to prepare prabhalu and then decorate it with colorful clothes and paper. This prabhalu is used to install the idol of Lord Shiva and visit Prabhala teertham by making a beeline to Jagganna thota. Tens of thousands of visitors throng to this place to have a marvelous experience.
- Key Attraction: Shopping stalls, Colorful prabhalu, Crowds.
- Prabhala Theertham Date 2023: 16th Jan 2023.
- Where: Konaseema.
- Duration of Festival: One day.
3. Ugadi Festival in Andhra Pradesh:
Ugadi is the Telugu New Year according to the Telugu calendar and is the most important Telugu festival celebrated in Andhra Pradesh. Yugam means period and Aadi means the beginning of something. On this occasion all Telugu people make Ugadi Pacadi with 6 flavors (shadruchulu): Sweet, Spicy, Sour, Pungent, Salty and Bitter. It is their belief that Ugadi Pachadi is a symbol of happiness and sorrow in life. Also, on Ugadi, special poojas and Panchanga Sravanam are performed in temples.
- Key Attraction: Preparation of a Ugadi Pachadi (pickle), a combination of six types of tastes, Panchanga Sravanam.
- Ugadi Festival Date 2023: 22nd March 2023.
- Where: All over Andhra Pradesh.
- Duration of Festival: One day.
4. Vinayaka Chavithi in Andhra Pradesh:
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the famous festivals that is celebrated all over India. It is celebrated grandly in Andhra Pradesh, where it is known as Vinayaka Chavithi and marks the birth of Lord Ganesha. On this auspicious day, people offer prayers to Ganesha with leaves and flowers. They prepare dishes like Kudumulu and Undrallu which are considered the deity’s favourite foods.
- Key Attraction: Large pandals with the idols of Lord Ganesha.
- Vinayaka Chavithi Festival Date 2023: 19th Sep 2023 to 28th Sep 2023.
- Where: All over the state, but popularly in Kanipakam, Ainavilli and Bikkavolu.
- Duration of Festival: 9 days.
5. Sirimanothsavam in Andhra Pradesh:
Sirimanotsavam is a unique festival of Andhra Pradesh which is celebrated in Vizianagaram Paidithalli Ammavari Temple in the Uttarandhra region of Andhra Pradesh and is considered as the most important regional festival. The meaning of Sirimanu is a big tree carved in the shape requested by the priest with the permission of the tree owner. During the utsavam, the carved tree is erected as Sirimanu and worshipped. On the festival day, a grand procession of Sirimanu is carried through the streets of Vizianagaram town.
- Key Attraction: Anjali chariot, White elephant chariot, and Sirimanu phaladara.
- Sirimanotsavam Date 2023: Not Available
- Where: Vizianagaram.
- Duration of Festival: More than ten days.
6. Srivari Brahmotsavam in Andhra Pradesh:
Srivari Brahmotsavam or Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vari Brahmotsavama is a major festival celebrated every year for nine days in grandeur at the Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Swamy Temple, a great shrine in Andhra Pradesh. According to temple legend, Brahma organized this festival. During these nine days of the festival, many pujas and sevas are performed to the Lord along with the Vahana Seva and during these nine days, as part of the Vahana Seva, the Lord is paraded through the holy streets of Tirumala in different types of chariots. People from all over come to witness this blissful event.
- Key Attraction: The beautiful procession of Lord Venkateshwara, where the lord is decorated each day differently, A different chariot (vahanam) is also used, making it unique.
- Srivari Brahmotsavam Date 2023: 16th Oct 2023 to 24th Oct 2023.
- Where: Tirumala.
- Duration of Festival: 9 days.
7. Sri Rama Navami in Andhra Pradesh:
Sri Rama Navami commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Sri Rama. It also signifies the marriage of Lord Sri Rama to Sita, which is termed as Sitarama Kalyanam. On this auspicious day, people prepare many delicacies, but the prominent ones offered as Prasad are soaked moong dal and panakam.
- Key Attraction: Kalyanam of Sri Rama and Sita.
- Sri Rama Navami Date 2023: 30th March 2023.
- Where: Vontimitta, All over the state.
- Duration of Festival: One day.
8. Christmas Day in Andhra Pradesh:
Christmas brings cheer not only to the people of Andhra Pradesh but worldwide. This festival commemorates the birth of Christ, and people start this festive day by singing hymns about the great deeds of Jesus Christ. During this time, several melas and fairs are organized in Andhra Pradesh. The Syrian Christians observe this festival with well-decorated elephants, colourful umbrellas, and soulful religious rhythms unique to Christmas in this state.
- Key Attraction: Beautifully decorated houses and churches, People singing religious hymns.
- Christmas Date 2023: 25th December 2023.
- Where: All over the state.
- Duration of Festival: 1 day.
9. Deepavali Festival in Andhra Pradesh:
Deepavali is yet another biggest traditional festival that beautifully lights up Andhra Pradesh’s entire state. Also called the festival of lights, it is celebrated on the new moon day and is one of the most important Hindu festivals. The darkness of the moonless sky is brightened with fireworks that look magnificent. The fairs and tasty sweets are the specialities of Diwali in Andhra Pradesh.
- Key Attraction: Brightly lit houses and firecrackers.
- Deepavali Festival Date 2023: 12th November 2023.
- Where: All across Andhra Pradesh.
- Duration of Festival: One day.
10. Maha Shivaratri Festival in Andhra Pradesh:
Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the night of Krishna Chaturdasi and is a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. People fast throughout the day, visit temples in the evening, and remain awake the entire night singing devotional songs. Staying awake the whole night is called Jagran, and people perform bhajans to keep them sharp. Shivaratri is considered one of the oldest festivals of Andhra Pradesh.
- Key Attraction: People fast throughout the day, sing Lord Shiva’s hymns, and stay awake the whole night.
- Maha Shivratri Date 2023: 18th Feb 2023.
- Where: Kalahasteshwara temple, Bhramarambha Malikarjunaswamy temple. All over the state.
- Duration of Festival: One day.
11. Dussehra Festival in Andhra Pradesh:
In the southern states of India, Dussehra is called Vijayadashami and Dasara and is celebrated for ten days. During the ten days of this festival, the goddess is dressed in different avatars, such as Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Annapurna, etc. On the tenth day, the goddess is dressed as Durga. In addition, some people have a tradition of arranging dolls in an attractive manner called “Bommala Koluvu.”
- Key Attraction: The goddess is dressed up in different avatars for the nine days, and on the tenth day, she is decorated as Durga Devi.
- Dussehra Festival Date 2023: 15th Oct 2023 to 24th Oct 2023.
- Where: Vijayawada, All over the state.
- Duration of Festival: Ten days.
12. Muharram in Andhra Pradesh:
Muharram is the second holiest month right after Ramadan in Islam. And, Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic new year and is the first month of the Islamic calendar. In Muslim culture, Muharram serves as a door to new beginnings and new opportunities in the coming year and therefore is of high significance in the Muslim culture. In addition, this festival commemorates Hussein ibn Ali, and Muslims pray for forgiveness of sins.
- Key Attraction: Muslims gather and pray for forgiveness for their sins.
- Muharram Date 2023: 29th July 2023.
- Where: All over the state.
- Duration of Festival: One day.
13. Rottela Panduga:
Celebrated at the Bara Shaheed Dargah in Nellore, Rotiyaan ki eid or Rottela panduga is an annual three-day festival. This event is a festival of 12 martyrs whose mortal remains are buried in the compound and is celebrated in the month of Muharram. People from different parts of the country visit the shrine and follow the religious practice of exchanging rotis.
- Key Attraction: People visit the shrine and exchange rotis.
- When: September.
- Where: Barah Shaheed Dargah, Nellore.
14. Lakshminarasimha Swamy Kalyanam, Antarvedi:
Lakshminarasimha Kalyana Mahotsavam is celebrated beautifully from the Magha Sudha Saptami to Magha bahula padyami (in February month) in Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, Antarvedi. This temple was built in the 15th and 16th centuries and, it is located where the Bay of Bengal and Vashista Godavari meet, making it memorable.
- Key Attraction: Kalyanam of the Lakshminarasimha Swamy.
- When: February-March.
- Where: Antarvedi.
- Duration of Festival: One day.
15. Visakha Utsav:
Visakha Utsav is organized by the state government and is one of the famous cultural festivals of Andhra Pradesh. This festival helps you explore the cultures in south India beautifully, and it lasts for four days. Several heritage tours, exhibitions of garments, flower shops, traditional crafts, sports events, and cultural shows are the highlight of this festival. People come in large numbers to witness this event.
- Key Attraction: Cultural shows, Sports events, Traditional crafts.
- When: End of December.
- Where: R.K.Bridge, Visakhapatnam.
- Duration of Festival: Four days.
Read: Must Visit Waterfalls in Andhra Pradesh
16. Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival:
The Rayalaseema Food and dance festival is the right place for you to enjoy the culture, crafts, and food of the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. Many people enthusiastically take part in the shows and exhibitions by gathering in the Rayalaseema region. Therefore, people who want to enjoy authentic culture and food should not miss this festival.
- Key Attraction: Authentic local cuisine and cultural performances.
- When: October.
- Where: Chittoor.
- Duration of Festival: Nine days.
17. Lumbini Festival:
Organized by the department of tourism of the state government of Andhra Pradesh, the Lumbini festival is a Buddhist festival celebrated every year during December. This festival beautifully signifies the Buddhist culture with the state government’s effort. It is one of the major festivals of Andhra Pradesh, and you can see the footfalls of thousands of visitors every year.
- Key Attraction: Buddhist art, culture, tradition.
- When: December.
- Duration of Festival: Three days.
18. Holi:
Holi is known as the festival of colour. It is celebrated in the month of Phalguna. This occurs in March in the English calendar. This is the time when all the people drench one other with paint and coloured water. The use of multiple colours in this festival stands for the oncoming of a good and bountiful spring harvest.
India is a country of diversified cultures and traditions. This article gives you a glimpse into the famous festivals and fairs of Andhra Pradesh that people of this state celebrate with great enthusiasm. Mark the celebrations you want to experience in the calendar, and plan your trip around the time. Don’t forget to let us know if you found the article helpful!
1. Where Can You Experience the Significant Festivals of Andhra Pradesh?
Ans: All the major festivals are celebrated with pomp and enthusiasm all over Andhra Pradesh. But some places in this state prominently present the beauty of some of the major festivals.
- Makara sankranthi in Bhimavaram.
- Ugadi in Vijayawada.
- Vinayaka chavithi in Kanipakam.
2. What are Some of the Special Dishes Prepared During the Festivals of Andhra Pradesh?
Ans: Every festival has food preparations that are unique to that festival. For example, rice kheer, pulihora, Pongal, Katte Pongal, rice kheer, and sakinalu are some festive recipes prepared by Andhra Pradesh.
3. When is the Correct Time to Visit Andhra Pradesh?
Ans: Make the best out of the visit to Andhra Pradesh, November to February during the winter seasons, and make your stay a pleasant experience.
