Sankranti arrives early in villages across Andhra

People have begun giving their houses a fresh coat of paint and preparing traditional foods, buying clothes and jewellery for family members to celebrate the biggest festival in rural areas of the State

A festive atmosphere was seen in villages ahead of Sankranthi, with farmers making arrangements to celebrate the the harvest festival. Farmers keep stocks of harvested paddy and other crops ready for celebrations during Sankranthi, the biggest festival in rural areas.

Villagers were seen painting their houses and preparing ethnic foods, buying clothes and jewellery for family members to celebrate the harvest festival.

“We pray to the Rain God to give us a bumper crop. Farmers do pujas to agriculture equipment, bullocks, bullock carts and the harvested stocks, appeasing the God to create a conducive atmosphere for farming this year,” said Ch. Koteswara Rao, a farmer.

Rangoli competitions, kite festivals, ‘banda lagudu’ (boulder pulling) and ethnic and traditional food festivals have begun at many places well before the festival. Festive fervour is evident with ‘Gangireddula Melalu’, ‘Haridasulu’ and ‘Budaga Jangalu’ moving along the streets and blessings the public. Gangireddulu will perform feats and enthral the visitors.

“We came from Bhadrachalam. A group of ‘Haridasulu’ will receive rice, fruits and money from residents and offer blessings. This year the response is good,” says a Haridasu visiting hourses at Pulapalli village in West Godavari district.

Heavy rush was seen in the garments and jewellery showrooms, with the managements announcing discounts. Colourful kites of different sizes were displayed in front of the shops for the festival.