Every year, Hyderabad comes alive with a wide spectrum of festivals that people from different communities celebrate together. Whether they are just cultural programs with 'ghazal' nights or religious festivals such as Muharram or Diwali, Hyderabad, being a melting pot of ethnicities, goes all out during the celebrations of different festivals. Apart from the common festivals celebrated here, there are many more festivals that are unfamiliar and are unique to the ethos of the city. Most fiestas are grand affairs are celebrated with great gusto in the city. Steeped in tradition and culture, festivals form an inherent part of the culture of Hyderabad. If you are planning to visit Hyderabad during one of the festivals, get ready to witness the dazzling splendors of a variety of local festivals. From the Deccan Festival to the Lumbini Festival, read on for more information about the different festivals celebrated in the city of the 'Nawabs'. Diwali
The festival of lights, also known as 'Deepavali' is celebrated with passionate fervor and zest in Hyderabad. People in Hyderabad worship Lord Ram and also perform various Pujas for Goddess Lakshmi, to welcome wealth and prosperity into their households. Houses are decorated with colorful streamers and festoons, gifts are exchanged and the sky is lit with a rainbow of fireworks.
Muharram
Muharram is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm in Hyderabad. The city is home to a large population of Shia Muslims and together they celebrate Muharram to mark the sacred month of the Muslim New Year. Milad-un-Nabi, Bakri-Id and Eid are also celebrated with the great passion in this city due to the predominant Muslim population here. Streets are lit and the smell of 'Haleem' and delicious Biryani waft through the streets of Hyderabad during the festive season.
The Deccan Festival
The Deccan Festival is one of the most popular festivals organized by the Department of Tourism, Andhra Pradesh. Celebrated around February or March, this five day festival echoes authentic Hyderabadi culture and also prominently projects Nawabi cuisine. The festival includes a pearls and bangles fair, food and music festival. 'Qawwali' songs and popular Andhra and Hyderabadi cuisines can be savored at the festival and is a must-visit for every tourist who visits Hyderabad during this period.
Sankranti
Known as the harvest festival, Sankranti in Hyderabad is a three-day affair celebrated with pomp and splendor. People fly kites and decorate their houses with rangoli to mark the beginning of the harvest festival. Many families in Hyderabad arrange a doll show and offer food and water to animals to acknowledge their gratitude for the good things in life.
Lumbini Festival
This festival is celebrated to honor the Buddhist legacy of Andhra Pradesh. The festival is celebrated for a period of three days in the month of December every year. One of the most important festivals, the Lumbini festival takes place at Lumbini Gardens and Nagarjuna Sagar every year in Hyderabad.
Hyderabad is rich in tradition and culture and is one of the few cities in India with the perfect balance of common and unique festivals. If you want to experience the vivacity and the colors of festivals in Hyderabad, it is highly recommended that you visit this city for a once in a lifetime experience. Enjoy the vibrant colors at the Deccan festival or enjoying having some local Hyderabadi delights during Muharram or Eid. Either way, you will only take back the high-spirited vibes of such a multi-ethnic city.
