Hyderabad's Diwali Celebrations Light Up the City
Diwali’s vibrant celebrations are in full swing across Hyderabad. Various communities, including Telugu, Gujarati, Marwadi, Maharashtrian, Bihari, and Bengali, are coming together to celebrate this festival of lights with enthusiasm and joy. Each community is adding its own unique traditions, making the festivities truly special this year.
While lighting diyas and bursting firecrackers are common practices, many communities are celebrating Diwali in ways that reflect their rich cultural heritage. These unique traditions bring a diverse and colorful flavor to the city’s Diwali celebrations.
The Telangana community is showcasing traditional doll displays called ‘Bommala Koluvu’. Meanwhile, the Maharashtrian and Gujarati communities are organizing lively Diwali Melas, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The Bengali community is preparing for Kali Puja, which is a significant part of their Diwali celebrations. Various Bengali organizations, such as Uttarayan, Prabashi Socio-Cultural Association, and Hyderabad Bengali Swarna Shilpi Vivekananda Kali Mandir, are organizing pujas following traditional rituals. These rituals are similar to those performed at Kolkata’s famous Dakshineswar Kali Mandir.
Sudha, a homemaker from Kukatpally, shared how her family has been displaying dolls during Diwali for many decades. “In Telangana, the tradition of Bommala Koluvu is cherished. Each year, I add new dolls from different states to our collection, which has been passed down through generations,” she said.
Ambarish Lahankar, founder of Mitraangan Maharashtrians of Hyderabad, explained how Diwali is celebrated in the Maharashtrian community. “We begin our celebrations with Vasu Baras (Gopadma Vrat) and take an abhyanga snan (oil bath) on Diwali day, which is believed to cleanse negativity. Diwali for us is a vibrant time filled with family, food, and devotion,” he shared.
Subrata Banerjee, General Secretary of the Uttarayan Socio-Cultural Association, expressed excitement about this year’s Kali Puja. “For the last two years, we held virtual pujas due to the pandemic. But this year, we are celebrating in a grand manner. It’s our 45th year, and we have planned cultural programs and stalls at the MCH grounds in Ameerpet,” he said.
Trader communities such as Gujaratis, Marwadis, and Sindhis also have their unique Diwali traditions. Many of them perform puja for their accounting books, marking the start of a new financial year. Meanwhile, the Bihari community is gearing up for Chhath Puja, a post-Diwali celebration, which will be held at various water bodies across the city.
