People in cities and towns, particularly the youth, are all eager to celebrate the three-day Sankranti festival, also called Pedda Panduga, in a traditional and grand way. Essentially a festival of harvest, it is celebrated by people in general and farmers in particular for the bounty it brings with it in the form of bumper yield.

The houses are decorated with garlands of mango leaves tied to the main doorframe, a rangoli is drawn in the front yard and gobbemma', which is made of cow dung, is placed at its centre. Gangireddu', or ox, which is a symbol of vitality and the best friend of the farmer for the role it plays in farming, is decorated and worshipped. Sweet pongal is prepared with new rice and jaggery and offered to the lord before partaking it.

Published Date : Friday, 14/1/2011 1:59 PM IST