Festivals

Dhanurmasam is the sacred month when the Sun is in Dhanus. Vishnu temples wake the Lord with Andal's Tiruppavai in the early dawn – at Tirumala it takes the place of the Suprabhatam – and offer pongal as prasadam. The month ends on Bhogi with Goda Kalyanam, the divine wedding of Andal and Lord Ranganatha.

Makara Sankranti, the great harvest festival of the Telugu states, is celebrated over three days – Bhogi, Sankranti and Kanuma – with Bhogi bonfires, muggulu, Haridasulu, Gangireddulu, kite flying and the Kanuma worship of cattle.