Hyderabad celebrates Dasara with Ravana Dahan, temple visits, Jammi leaf exchanges and Durga Puja immersion processions at Tank Bund.
Dasara was celebrated across the city on Tuesday, with large numbers of devotees visiting temples, participating in traditional rituals and attending Ravana Dahan programmes. Durga Puja celebrations concluded with Sindoor Khela and processions for the immersion of idols at Tank Bund.
The traditional practice of sighting the Palapitta, or Indian Roller, Telangana’s state bird, continued as part of Dasara celebrations. The sighting is considered auspicious and is believed to bring good fortune.
Animal and bird lovers expressed concern that bird catchers could harm the birds during the festive season. However, AI-generated images of the Palapitta were also circulated, allowing people to observe the bird on their screens.
Families exchanged Jammi tree leaves, traditionally regarded as gold, and visited relatives and friends as part of the celebrations.
Nagar Krishna Jaiveer, a private employee, said the practice helped strengthen relationships among families.“During my father’s time, we used to visit all our relatives to greet them, by hugging and exchanging Jammi leaves. This used to build great bonds between people.”
Ravana Dahan programmes were organised at several locations across the city, including Exhibition Grounds at Nampally, Nizam College grounds, Ameerpet GHMC grounds, Amberpet and Shaikpet.
At Exhibition Grounds, the Rajasthani Samaj organised the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna. At Nizam College grounds, a fireworks display preceded the burning of Ravana’s effigy. Organisers urged participants to overcome their ego as part of the symbolic significance of the event.
Union minister G. Kishan Reddy attended the Hyderabad Bangalee Samity’s 85th annual Durga Puja celebrations. A large number of devotees participated in the puja, followed by a live musical concert featuring singers from West Bengal and Mumbai. The Telangana Bengali Cultural Association at Ameerpet, which organised celebrations under its banner for the first time, held traditional Devi Baron and Sindoor Khela rituals.
Committee member Hemali Bhattacharjee said women dressed in traditional red-and-white sarees participated in the farewell rituals for Goddess Durga.
Processions carrying Durga idols from different parts of the city proceeded towards Tank Bund, where the idols were immersed, marking the conclusion of the festivities.
