Festivals in Telangana

Bonalu, usually celebrated from 29 June 2025 – to 20 Jul 2025, is one of the main festivals of Telangana, dedicated to Goddess Mahakali. Women dress in traditional attire and carry beautifully decorated pots filled with offerings to the goddess. The festival includes vibrant processions, traditional dances, and ritual sacrifices, displaying Telangana’s rich cultural heritage. Bonalu reflects gratitude to the goddess for health and prosperity, bringing people together in devotion and celebration. Each procession becomes a community event with singing, dancing, and a shared sense of devotion, highlighting the bond between people and the divine. Bonalu encapsulates the spirit of resilience and reverence in Telangana’s spiritual landscape.

Observed on January 14, 2025, Makar Sankranti is an essential and major Telangana festival observing the sun's change into Capricorn. This event indicates longer days and the start of the reaping season, earning it a period of thankfulness and festival. People converge with adored ones to prepare conventional meals, including sweet dishes like laddoos and Pongal. One of the celebration highlights is the kite-flying contest, where the sky loads with dynamic colours as individuals of all generations partake. In Telangana, Makar Sankranti encourages a feeling of gathering as families and friends honour. It’s a joyous event where people express their yearnings for wealth and plenty in the future season.

Observed on February 4, 2025, Ratha Saptami is dedicated to the Sun God and has an essential place among festivals in Telangana. The day starts with believers carrying a holy bath at sunrise, observed by offerings and blessings. The Sun is revered as the leading basis of life, and the celebration acts as a reminder of its prayers for all living beings. Classic hymns are sung, and temples host unique rituals to celebrate the sun’s vibrancy and spirit. For many in Telangana, Ratha Saptami represents good healthiness and spiritual power. It’s a day of revival where individuals come together to convey appreciation, marking the sun’s life and upholding its role in wildlife and civilization.

Maha Shivaratri, observed on February 26, is a top festival of Telangana that celebrates Lord Shiva, the god of change and devastation. Devotees embark on day-long fasts and celebrate a night-long guard loaded with devotions, hymns, and holy songs. Shiva temples across Telangana, such as the famous Keesaragutta Temple, welcome thousands of worshippers who desire acceptance and deliberation in Lord Shiva’s existence. Maha Shivaratri enables a feeling of spirituality and faith, asking followers to consider more profound facts and personal transformation. This festival presents believers with an option to unite with the holy, surrendering earthly concerns and celebrating the heavenly significance that Lord Shiva symbolizes.

On March 14, 2025, Telangana bursts into colour as communities celebrate Holi, a Telangana festival that marks the arrival of spring. Known as the festival of colours, Holi symbolises the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated with exuberant gatherings where people playfully smear each other with coloured powders and splash water. Traditional sweets and drinks like thandai add to the festive atmosphere. Families and friends unite, transcending social boundaries as laughter and joy fill the air. Holi in Telangana reflects the unity and joy of the community, fostering a spirit of togetherness and friendship. This vibrant celebration leaves everyone in high spirits, looking forward to spring's abundance.

Ugadi, celebrated on March 30, 2025, marks the Telugu New Year and is an essential festival celebrated in Telangana. People clean and decorate their homes with fresh mango leaves and flowers, preparing special dishes like Ugadi pachadi, a unique mixture symbolising life’s different flavours. Families gather for prayers, seek blessings, and share hopes for prosperity and happiness in the coming year. Ugadi is more than just a New Year celebration; it’s a time for renewal and reflection. It embodies the joy and optimism that come with new beginnings and allows people in Telangana to honour their traditions while looking forward to a prosperous year ahead.

Celebrated on April 6, 2025, Sri Rama Navami is a famous Telangana festival dedicated to Lord Rama's birth, an embodiment of virtue and honour. Devotees celebrate by visiting temples, reading verses from the Ramayana, and participating in devotional singing. Many join processions that unite communities to honour Lord Rama’s life and teachings. In Telangana, this festival emphasises the values of righteousness, loyalty, and respect for the family. Sri Rama Navami inspires people to reflect on these virtues, drawing them closer to the principles Lord Rama represents. It’s a day of devotion, cultural pride, and reverence, showcasing Telangana’s spiritual heritage.

On 12 April 2025 – 22 May 2025, Hanuman Jayanti, a Telangana famous festival, celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman, a symbol of strength, devotion, and courage. Devotees visit Hanuman temples, performing prayers and offering special pujas to honour this revered deity. Known for his unwavering loyalty to Lord Rama, Hanuman is celebrated for his bravery, resilience, and service virtues. For people in Telangana, Hanuman Jayanti is a time to seek blessings for strength and protection and reflect on their devotion and loyalty. It’s a festival that connects the community to Hanuman’s values, invoking courage and faith in daily life.

Nagula Chavithi is a unique Telangana festival that involves the worship of snakes, which are believed to be divine and protective forces. Devotees, especially women, offer prayers and milk to snake idols, seeking blessings for family prosperity and safety. This festival reminds Telangana communities of deep respect for nature and its creatures, seeing them as sacred. Observing Nagula Chavithi, people honour the natural world and uphold traditional beliefs that emphasise harmony with all living beings. The festival blends spirituality and environmental respect, showcasing Telangana’s unique cultural ethos.

On August 8, 2025, Varalakshmi Vratam is a crucial Telangana festival dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. Married women observe a strict fast and offer prayers for their family’s well-being, health, and fortune. The ritual involves decorating idols of Goddess Lakshmi with flowers and ornaments, symbolising reverence and devotion. This festival reflects the community’s values, with women’s prayers representing a collective wish for happiness and prosperity. Varalakshmi Vratam is a spiritual and family-centred occasion that brings people together, celebrating Telangana's culture's bonds of love, faith, and tradition.

Celebrated on August 16, 2025, Krishna Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna and is a beloved festival of Telangana. The day is filled with midnight prayers, devotional singing, and joyous reenactments of Krishna’s playful childhood. One of the main attractions is the “Dahi Handi” game, where young men form human pyramids to break a pot of curd suspended high, recreating Krishna’s love for butter. Families gather to honour Krishna’s divine life, teaching love, wisdom, and joy values. Krishna Janmashtami reflects Telangana’s lively culture and devotion, uniting people to celebrate one of Hinduism’s most cherished figures.

Vinayaka Chavithi, observed on 26 Aug 2025 – 27 Aug 2025, celebrates Lord Ganesha’s birth, the remover of obstacles. Telangana households and public spaces are adorned with clay idols of Lord Ganesha, and devotees perform prayers seeking blessings for success and prosperity. Known for his wisdom, Ganesha is invoked at the start of new ventures. This Telangana festival unites communities, bringing friends and families together in shared rituals and joy. The immersion of Ganesha idols in water on the final day represents life’s cyclic nature, honouring the deity’s role in guiding devotees toward clarity and purpose.

: Celebrated October 3, Bathukamma is a vibrant Telangana festival honouring Goddess Gauri, symbolising feminine strength and life. Women create intricate flower arrangements and perform traditional dances around them, singing songs that celebrate nature and womanhood. Bathukamma, known as a famous festival of Telangana, fosters community spirit, respect for nature, and cultural pride. The colourful floral displays and rhythmic songs create a joyful, collective experience highlighting Telangana’s cultural identity and the close bond between its people and the land.

Durga Ashtami, celebrated on September 30, 2025, is dedicated to Goddess Durga, symbolising power and protection. As a vital part of the Navaratri festival, Telangana communities perform rituals, fast, and visit temples to honour the goddess. People seek strength to overcome challenges, embracing Durga’s virtues of courage and resilience. Durga Ashtami represents Telangana’s spiritual devotion and respect for feminine divinity, bringing families together in reverence. It underscores the victory of good over evil, instilling values of righteousness, strength, and unity among the people.

Dussehra, observed on October 2, 2025, celebrates Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. Telangana communities participate in the “Ravana Dahan,” where Ravana’s effigy is burnt to mark his defeat. This prominent festival of Telangana includes prayers, family gatherings, and cultural programs, emphasising values like righteousness and honour. Dussehra unites communities in joy and reflection, strengthening bonds and teaching the timeless lesson of standing firm against adversity. The festival concludes with grand celebrations that highlight the cultural and spiritual essence of the region, marking it as a festival of triumph and renewal.

Celebrated on 18 Oct 2025 – Thu, 23 Oct 2025, Diwali, the festival of lights, holds immense significance among the festivals of Telangana. It marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Families clean and decorate their homes with oil lamps (diyas), rangoli, and colourful lights to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. Sweets and gifts are exchanged, and fireworks light up the night sky, adding to the festive spirit. In Telangana, Diwali also signifies the beginning of the harvest season, with prayers for abundance and happiness in the coming year. The bright lights and celebrations reflect Telangana's diverse communities' cultural vibrancy and joy.