Hyderabad: The city is buzzing with festive spirit as different communities prepare to celebrate their traditional New Year festivals over the next few days. On Sunday, the Punjabi community marked Baisakhi with joy and grandeur.
Thousands of Sikhs gathered at Gurudwara Saheb in Ameerpet to celebrate the 326th Khalsa Panth Foundation Day, also known as Baisakhi. The event began with a large prayer gathering called “Vishaal Deewan.” In the evening, a colorful religious procession called Nagar Keertan was held. It started from the Gurudwara and passed through Greenlands, Begumpet, and Punjagutta before returning to Ameerpet.
During the procession, the holy book Guru Granth Sahibji was carried in a beautifully decorated vehicle along with Nishaan Saheban (Sikh flags). Devotional songs called Shabad Keertans were sung by groups of men, women, and youth. Sikh warriors called Panj Pyaras and young people performed traditional martial arts known as Gatka, showcasing their skills with swords and other weapons.
Other communities in Hyderabad are also preparing for their New Year festivities. On Monday, Tamilians will celebrate Puthandu (Tamil New Year), while Malayalees will mark Vishu. The Odia and Assamese communities will observe Pana Sankranti or Maha Vishuba Sankranti. On Tuesday, the Bengali community will celebrate Pohela Boishakh.
Raj Kumar, Secretary of Telangana Tamil Sangam, explained how Tamilians celebrate Puthandu. “We decorate our pooja room with fruits, rice, vegetables, and coins or jewelry. We cook special dishes like Maanga Pachadi, which combines sweet, sour, and bitter flavors to reflect life’s ups and downs. We also prepare Veppam Poo Rasam, Payasam, and Vadai. In the evening, we visit the Naga Temple fire to offer prayers,” he said.
Suman Nath, an IT employee from Assam, shared how his community celebrates Bohag Bihu. “We start by seeking blessings from our elders and offer them a gamocha, a traditional Assamese towel. In the evening, we enjoy folk dances and feast on tasty traditional foods like Pita, which are a variety of sweet pancakes,” he said.
Bengali groups in the city also plan to hold cultural programs on Tuesday to celebrate their New Year. The coming days promise to be full of color, tradition, and joy for all communities in Hyderabad.
