Festivals

Karthika Masam, the holiest month of the year for Telugu devotees, is sacred to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. It is observed with dawn river baths, daily lamps, Karthika Somavaram fasts, Vana Bhojanalu under the usiri tree and Pancharama darshan, and peaks on Karthika Pournami with the Jwala Thoranam.

Holi, known in the Telugu lands as Kamuni Punnami, is the spring festival of Phalguna Pournami. Villages light the Kama Dahanam bonfire, remembering how Lord Shiva burnt Kamadeva with his third eye, and the next morning everyone celebrates with colours. Many Vishnu temples hold Dolotsavam, the swing festival of the Lord.

Tholi Ekadasi – the "first Ekadasi" – is the day Lord Vishnu is believed to enter his yogic sleep for four months, and it marks the start of the sacred Chaturmasya. Devotees fast, visit Vishnu temples and offer Pelala Pindi, a sweet of popped jowar and jaggery that is shared as prasadam.