Sankranti celebrations were held across Nellore and Prakasam districts by residents who lit bonfires of discarded items and praying to the Sun god.
State Ministers Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy and P. Narayana joined people in going round the ‘Bhogi Manta’ as artists dressed like Haridasu sang about the significance of the harvest festival, which coincides with the onset of the ‘Uttarayana Punyakalam’.
Continuing the focus on development and welfare, Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu had brought smiles to lakhs of families of the poor by doubling the social security pension, they said.
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In Ongole, Environment Minister Sidda Raghava Rao joined by TDP MLC Karnam Balarama Krishnamurthy and others lit a Bhogi bonfire. Braving the cold, homemakers made attractive rangolis at the break of dawn in front of their residences and placed ‘gobbemmalu' as per the tradition.
Explaining the significance of the bonfire, vedic priest P. Kesavacharyulu said you should discard old things and old ideas, and think new and differently to forge ahead.
‘Bommala Koluvu’ with attractive dolls was organised by homemakers. Young and old alike relished ariselu, chekalu, jentikalu and bobattlu prepared on the occasion.
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A mixture of ‘regi pandlu’, ‘senagalu’, flower peals, slices of sugarcane and coins were showered on children to ward off the evil.
Holding the Tamburu, men, dressed like Haridas, went around the city blessing people.
Bulls perform tricks
Ongole bull breeders exhibited skills of well-trained bulls which performed a variety of tricks without injuring their masters.
Students led by the State Students and Youth Joint Action Committee president Rayapatti organised ‘Teluguvari Sankranti’ feast by serving more than 100 dishes at the Chaitanya Junior College.