Hyderabad has traditional, religious and state festivals organized and celebrated in the city. These festivals are full of messages depicting one or more aspects of human life, relationships or ancient traditions. Many of these festivals such as Deepavali, Dasara, Mohurrum, Shivratri, etc. are celebrated nation wide. Some of the popular festivals are briefed below. 


Deccan Festival : The deccan festival highlights Hyderabad's arts, crafts, culture and cusine. This festival also includes a Pearls and Bangles fair and a food fair. Cultural programs, food stalls arts and craft shops etc. is also organized. 


Lumbini Festival : This festival is organized to celebrate the Buddhist Heritage of Andra Pradesh. The festival is celebrated in Nagarjunasagar and Hyderabad for three days from 2nd Friday of December every year. 


Makara Sankranti : This harvest festival is celebrated for 3 days in Mid January. The first day is Bhogi that is spent with gaiety. The second day is Sankranthi when the sun enters the Makara Rasi (the zodiac sign of Capricorn). Traditionally this period is considered an auspicious day. Many families arrange a doll show and invite their friends and give alms to the poor. The third day is Kanuma. The Community being agrarian, they acknowledge their gratitude to the part taking of the animals. They decorate the bulls, conduct games including cockfights, bullfights and ram fights. Rich and poor alike will have a good time. 


Sivratri : It is one of the pre-historic festivals celebrated all over India in Februaruy/March. It is a religious festival devoted to Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. The devotees dedicate the entire day to the worship of Lord Shiva. During the night people remain awake, go to the temple and listen to the Vedic recitals and their meanings. 


Ugadi : This native New Year comes soon after the celebration of 'holy' in April-May. Spring is considered as the first season of this native New Year of Andra. 


Vinayak Chaturthi : The day when Lord Ganesh or Vinayak was born (created) is celebrated as Vinayak Chaturthi. The day is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm throughout the country. Every year the largest Ganesh idol is installed at Khairatabad in Hyderabad that is taller than thirty feet. On the 11th day of celebration, processions converge at Hussain Sager Lake. The ten-day Ganesh festival concludes with the immersion of Ganesh idols in the lake. 


Diwali : The festival of light is celebrated in Andra Pradesh together with other places of the country. It is a festival that revolves around Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. During the festival the whole country explodes into colour and noise. 


Dassera : Dasara or Vijayadasami, as it is popularly called Navratri.

Navratri is a festival of worship, dance and music. In Hyderabad it is celebrated over a period of nine nights.It is celebrated from the first to ninth date of Ashwin Shukla Paksha of the Hindu Calendar for the worship of the Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is believed to exist in many forms like Goddess Bhavani, Jagdamba,Mahakali etc. Devotees perform the 'devi-sthaapna' in their homes wherein they invite the Goddess and perform 'pooja-path' for nine days. 

Gujaratis perform their traditional dances 'Garba' &'Dandiya-Raas' during Navratri. The women-folk dance in a circle, singing 'Garbas' or traditional songs.'Dandiya-Raas' is played with wooden sticks or 'dandiyas'. Apart from Gujrat,Garbas are performed in other states & cities like Mumbai. Beautifully decorated 'mandaps'are set up for playing garba & dandiya by various cultural societies,housing commitees & youth social groups. Young men-women wear colourful traditional dresses and play Garba with great enthusiasm.The mood of Navratri is very colourful & unique. 


Milad - un - nabi : On this occasion public meetings are held in the mosques where religious leaders and scholars make speeches on different aspects of the life of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). The stories of the Prophet’s birth, childhood, youth and adult life, his character, teachings, sufferings, and forgiveness of even his most bitter enemies, his fortitude in the face of general opposition, leadership in battles, bravery, wisdom, preaching and his final triumph through Allah’s mercy over the hearts of people are narrated in detail. Salutations and songs in his praise are recited. In some countries, streets, mosques and buildings are decorated with colorful buntings and pennants and well illuminated at night. Affluent Muslims generously donate to charity. Feasts are arranged and food is served to guests and the poor. 


Moharrum : Is celebrated in Hyderabad and is as popular as Dasara in Mysore. Muslims also celebrateMilad-un-Nabi with assemblies held Mecca Masjid and at Dar-us-Salaam. 


Bakrid : In Hyderabad, Bakrid is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and religious fervour. Prayers are offered in the mosques and in iddgahs (open grounds). Meeralam and Madannapet iddgahs are some of the famous iddgahs in the twin cities, where special prayers are offered during the festivals of Ramzan and Bakrid. Thousands gather near Charminar to offer idd prayers in Mecca Masjid and the entire area from Madina circle to Mecca Masjid is cordoned off during the prayer time. Muslims wear new clothes and apply itr (perfume) and soorma on the eve of Bakrid.

Temporary markets spring up along the roadsides where thousands of goats are brought for sale. Chanchalguda, Charminar, Mehdipatnam and Musheerabad are some of the hotspots where the goats are sold on the occasion of Bakrid. The goats are priced anywhere between Rs. 500 to RS 5,000 depending on the age and weight of the animal.

The essence of Bakrid pervades throughout the day with prayers and sacrifices.


Ramzan : Buying new clothes during the month of Ramzan is a tradition. In the twin cities, most of the busy shopping areas like Abids, SP Road, Sultan Bazar and Pathergatti will be bustling with shopping activity. Burqa(veil) clad women browsing through the shops is a common sight in all these places.

For many Hyderabadi's, Ramzan shopping is incomplete if the Old City is not visited. The real Ramzan action is seen in the Charminar area. As one wades through the crowds at majestic Charminar, which is the hub of all activities, one will come across rows of well lit and decorated shops, eye-catching banners, and shops wooing customers. The activity picks up around dusk, goes on brisk, and uninterrupted well into late hours of the evening. And the products sold here are cheap and offer much choice to the customers. Clothes, perfumes, traditional caps, bangles, all are available here.