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As a land of festivals, India hosts a varied number of celebrations throughout the year, some of which attract people from around the world as they are celebrated with much grandeur. Though there are many such celebrations in different parts of the nations, the occasion of Durga Puja is celebrated with zest in most Indian states.
Popularly known as Vijayadashami and Dasara in the south, the festival of Durga Puja is also an important occasion in Andhra Pradesh. The people of this state observe Vijayadashami to pay respect to Goddess Durga who defeated the demon Mahishasura. Vijayadashami is celebrated for ten days in Andhra Pradesh which attracts a lot of travellers.
People of Andhra Pradesh deck themselves up in traditional attires during the occasion and visit Goddess Durga temples. There is a Durga temple at Warangal where Dasara celebrations can be witnessed. This temple is situated near the Badrakali Lake.
Another famous shrine, where Dasara, also called Sharan Navratri, celebrations are prominently seen is the Alampur Jogulamba temple, which is one of the eighteen famous ‘Shakthipeethas' of India. At this temple, processions are held and on the final day of Vijayadashami, a boat festival, known as Theppotsavam is conducted at the confluence of River Krishna and Tungabhadra.
In addition, in the Vijayawada district of Andhra Pradesh, there is an old temple on the shores of River Krishna known as the ‘Durga Malleshwar Swami' where Dasara is celebrated with vigour. Even at Vizag and Basara, there are many temples where the occasion of Dasara can be witnessed in all its glory.
Hindu households in Andhra Pradesh bring home idols of Goddess Durga and perform rituals for nine days during Dasara. Another important aspect of Dasara in Andhra Pradesh is that people set up the ‘Bommala Koluvu' at their homes, which is an eye-pleasing sight where one can see an array of dolls and toys being arranged in a tasteful manner.
The festive occasion of Dasara is concluded by devotees performing the immersion of the idols of the Goddess in the Hussain Sagar Lake at Hyderabad.
