Sankranthi celebrations begin early with cultural festivities in Vijayawada

Sankranthi festivities began nearly ten days early in Vijayawada, as the Amaravati Press Club hosted celebrations at the Nalanda School grounds on Sunday (January 04, 2026).

The event brought the essence of rural harvest traditions into the city’s heart, attracting spirited participation from journalists’ families and residents. The sight of three to four generations gathered in traditional attire lent a unique warmth and charm to the occasion.

The festivities began with the lighting of sacred Bhogi bonfire, symbolising the traditional start of Sankranthi. Haridasu devotional songs and Gangireddulu performances brought cultural vibrancy, while students in ethnic costumes impressed the audience with traditional dances. Women participated in rangoli competitions, creating colourful ‘muggulu’ adorned with ‘gobbeammalu’, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Kite flying, symbolic rooster contests, and joyful bullock cart rides delighted children and youth alike.

Designed to familiarise the younger generation with age-old customs, the programmes successfully blended tradition with celebration. Prizes were distributed to competition winners, according to a press release.