Diwali in Andhra Pradesh

Diwali is the most significant festival in India and is celebrated with much pomp and pageantry all over the country. Still the essence of the festival remains the same, and it is wonderful to see such unity in diversity. Andhra Pradesh has the distinction of being one of the largest states in India and as such is a melting pot of cultures, and come Diwali this pot seems to bubble with the best of all cultures.

Andhra Pradesh is one of the oldest states in India and was created by combining the old princely state of Hyderabad with the Telugu-speaking portions of the former state of Madras. Andhra Pradesh has traditional way of celebrating Diwali that is organized and celebrated throughout the state. It is a festival that revolves around Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Diwali Celebrations in Andhra Pradesh in North India, Diwali is usually celebrated during the evenings with fireworks and Diyas. However, in Andhra Pradesh, the festivities start out at the crack of dawn and carry on well into the night. The state sure knows how to celebrate! Most people make the trip to the local temple along with their families to seek the blessings of their respective Gods. The night sky is soon lit up with a scintillating array of fireworks and crackers notch up the noise level by a few decibels.

People decorate their homes much like the Hyderabadi royalty would have done all those centuries ago. There are no limits set when it comes to Diwali. Homes are lit up with hundreds of Diyas and colorful Diwali Rangolis (link) decorate the doorway. For the Children it’s a lot like Christmas in western countries for they get new clothes to wear, delicious food to gorge on and for once nobody ticks them off for making too much noise. In Hyderabad, there is a unique tradition of bathing a buffalo on Diwali day. Another custom involves decorating homes with paper figures.

Festivities cut across boundaries to move on from the small villages to the big towns, for almost a month before Deepawali. Sales of expensive silk saris, jewelry and ornaments, household goods go up. From the poor to the rich, everyone indulges in shopping for the biggest shopping spree of the year. Sweets, which are an integral part of any festival in Andhra Pradesh, are prepared in homes as well as bought from shops for exchange. This festival is full of messages depicting one or more aspects of human life, relationships or ancient traditions.