The celebration of the holy festival of Pongal by Telugus started here in a big way on Wednesday.
While men observed the Bhogi by dancing and singing, women conducted a puja by offering new rice to Maa Laxmi. Women also performed Dandia dance amid much enthusiasm at the AP Mahila Samaj. MP Chandra Sekhar Sau and MLA Bikram Kumar Panda gracing the occasion as guests conveyed Pongal wishes to all.
Later, a grand cultural programme was also held at the Prakasham Hall. Bhogi was observed Sano Bazaar Square, Santarani Street, Big Bazaar Lala Street, Ganesh Nagar, Venkateswar Mandir, Balunkeswar Mandir, Kampa Street, Military Lane, Tulasi Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and Bijipur.
As part of the 4-day festival, Makar Sankranti was observed on the second day on Thursday. Shradha was offered to forefathers on the occasion. As part of the rituals, families invited daughters and son-in-laws to house and prepared different kinds of delicious dishes for “
them. Two more rituals ‘Kanuku’ and ‘Mukanuku’ would be observed on the third and fourth day, respectively.
Telugu families also enjoy these four days by seeing films and moving to tourist places.