On Bhogi, the first day of the festival, falling on January 14, 2024, people burn all the negativity by symbolically lighting the bonfire and dumping all the old and discarded things in it.
Pancakes made from cow dung are put together in the form of garlands and dumped in the fire as the ash from it serves to be a good source of insecticide and at the same time, provides optimal heat to keep the body warm, with the winter chill and fog remaining in the air.
Flying Kites with maanja is one of the entertainments on all three days. Kite festivals are conducted at the International level.
Special dishes made during the festival are majorly rice and rice-flour based as paddy is the major crop in the region.
This apart, gobbemmas made of cow dung are also placed in the rangolis drawn and decorated to taste in front of the houses. Rangolis are drawn at the entrance of every house for one full month, which begins in the mid of December and ends with Kanuma, called Dhanurmaasam by Vaishnavites. The rendition of Tiruppavai is culminated by Goda Kalyanam performed on the last day of Sankranti.
On the second day, Sankranti aka Pongal, rice cooked in thick milk called Pongal is the major delicacy
The last day of the festival Kanuma is majorly observed by the working class during which non-vegetarian meals is mandatory. The animals which help farmers in agriculture are also worshipped, in gratitude for their services.
Rooster fights, kite flying, rangolis, haridasulu, gobbemmas, gangireddulu add to festivities of Sankranti.
