Sankranti, also known as Pongal, is one of the most celebrated festivals in Prakasam district. Marking the harvest season, it signifies prosperity, gratitude, and the joy of rural life. The festival, usually observed in January, brings vibrant colors, traditional customs, and community celebrations to towns and villages across the district.
During Sankranti, people decorate their homes with beautiful muggu (rangoli) designs and tie harvested sugarcane and mango leaves at their doorways as symbols of abundance. Families prepare special dishes like sweet pongal, ariselu, and chakinalu, sharing them with neighbors and relatives.
In rural areas of Prakasam — especially around Kandukur, Markapuram, Addanki, and Ongole — the festival takes on a lively spirit. Villages organize bullock cart races, cockfights (in some traditional areas), kite flying, and cultural programs that showcase local music and dance. Farmers honor cows and oxen, decorating them with garlands and colored horns to thank them for their hard work during the harvest.
Sankranti in Prakasam is not just a festival — it is a celebration of agriculture, community bonding, and Andhra’s rural traditions, reflecting the heart of the district’s culture and economy.