Bonfire heralds Sankranti as kites dot the skyline

HI-TECH BACKDROP: It is traditional treat with `gangireddulavallu ' performing on the eve of the festival in Cyberabad. Photo: P. V. Sivakumar

HYDERABAD: The twin cities on Friday celebrated భోగి (`Bhogi'), heralding Sankranti, as citizens soaked in the festival spirit with a three-day weekend on the cards and dispelled notions of Friday the 13th being an inauspicious day.

The celebration heralding the harvest festival saw people of all ages and walks of life with their families defying the morning chill and lighting bonfire - భోగిమంటు (`Bhogimantalu') - to get rid of the old and bad and to ring in new hopes.

Markets abuzz

Women got down to the business of drawing `rangoli' outside their homes.

Adding zing to the air were the colourful kites that dotted the city's skyline as men and boys alike competed with the paper birds from the rooftops.

Markets were abuzz right from dawn as families indulged in last-minute shopping binges for essentials, including flowers and fruits.

The గంగిరెద్దువాళ్ళూ (`Gangireddulavallu') also made a rare appearance rekindling the festive spirit!

Visits to relatives and neighbours with homemade sweets, a pious trip to the temple and a cheerful day at home with the prospect of two more days to savour the festival spiced up the proceedings for many as television channels also joined the party with Sankranti special telecast of box-office hits.

Movie halls too were venue for the festivities as new releases of popular stars hit the marquee on Friday.

Courtesy: The Hindu