Wishesh wishes all the ardent readers a 'Happy Sankranti'. Sankranti updates from Hyderabad commences with avid celebrations of Bhogi in the hitech city. The whole city is spruced with colorful rangoli (muggulu) to welcome the festival. Most of the folks were up by 5 am and the city wore a festive look. For once every year, the city is free from traffic woos on these holiday as most people leave to their home town to celebrate the festival.

Hyderabad, famous for its flat culture, brings all the residents together on this occasion. The women folks of the multiple residences decorated the buildings and designed a colorful rangoli at the entrances.

On the other hand the men folks collected wood logs, waste material to light a bonfire (Bhogi Mantalu) at the entrance. After a hot water oil bath, the families go around the fire with reverence and smear the ashes on the foreheads.  

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy conveyed their festive greetings. The entire city was reeling under the celebrations ecstasy. Last night all bus stops and railways stations were filled with large number of crowds who were leaving the state capital.

Sankranti celebrations commenced with Bhogi today. It is basically an agrarian festival, to appease the Gods after a bumper harvest. On the second day  a special offering is made to the Gods called Chakra Pongal (sweet rice). After the English New Year this is the first festival that includes joyous celebrations filled with sumptuous delicacies. (Wishesh AarKay)