Festivals in Andhra Pradesh in October 2025: Celebrating Culture and Spirituality
Andhra Pradesh, a state known for its rich cultural heritage and religious fervor, celebrates a plethora of festivals throughout the year. The month of October in 2025 will be especially significant for Andhra Pradesh as it marks some of the most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals that capture the essence of both tradition and devotion. These festivals blend religious rituals with cultural festivities, attracting people from all walks of life.
In this article, we will explore the festivals celebrated in Andhra Pradesh in October 2025, their spiritual significance, rituals, and cultural impact. We will also provide insights into the temple traditions, local customs, and the special ways these festivals are marked in Andhra Pradesh.
Major Festivals in Andhra Pradesh in October 2025
- Vijayadashami (Dussehra) – October 2, 2025
- Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, is one of the most celebrated festivals in Andhra Pradesh and across India. The festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura and also commemorates Lord Rama’s triumph over Ravana, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.Significance:
- Vijayadashami marks the culmination of the Navaratri festival, which spans nine nights and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga.It symbolizes the triumph of righteousness and the destruction of evil forces.
- In Andhra Pradesh, especially in places like Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, temples like the Kanaka Durga Temple see massive crowds of devotees during this time. Special rituals and pujas are performed to honor the goddess.Grand processions are taken out where beautifully decorated idols of Goddess Durga are carried through the streets, followed by their immersion in rivers.The festival is also celebrated with traditional folk performances, dances, and plays enacting the Ramayana.
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2 Diwali (Deepavali) – October 21, 2025Diwali,
the festival of lights, is one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated not just in Andhra Pradesh, but across India. It marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over Ravana.Significance:
- Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.It also honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and is associated with prosperity and new beginnings.
- Homes and temples are adorned with oil lamps, and families perform Lakshmi Puja to invoke the goddess’s blessings.In Andhra Pradesh, special focus is given to Lakshmi Puja and Govardhan Puja. Temples in cities like Tirupati and Vijayawada hold large-scale rituals, where devotees light lamps and offer prayers.Firecrackers are burst in the evening, and families come together to celebrate the festival with traditional foods and sweets like Poornalu and Ariselu.
- Markets and streets are lit up with festive lights, and Diwali fairs are held, showcasing local arts, crafts, and traditional performances.
- On the night of Diwali, it is customary for families to visit temples and seek the blessings of deities like Sri Venkateswara in Tirupati.
3 Karthika Masam Begins – October 27, 2025
The month of Karthika Masam (which starts in late October and continues into November) is considered highly auspicious in Andhra Pradesh for spiritual practices and religious rituals.Significance:
- Karthika Masam is dedicated to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, making it an important time for devotees to perform penance and observe fasts.It is believed that rituals performed during this month bring prosperity and spiritual upliftment.
- Devotees observe special prayers in Shiva temples, such as the Srikalahasteeswara Temple in Srikalahasti and the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam.Bathing in sacred rivers, lighting lamps (known as Karthika Deepam), and offering prayers to Lord Shiva are common practices.Families visit temples, and elaborate offerings of flowers, fruits, and sweets are made to the deities.
- Karthika Deepam, celebrated on the full moon day of Karthika Masam, involves lighting oil lamps in homes, temples, and riversides, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of lights.
4 Durga Ashtami & MaharnavamiDurga Ashtami and Maharnavami are key days during the Navaratri festival and are celebrated in the early days of October in Andhra Pradesh.Significance:
- Durga Ashtami is dedicated to Goddess Durga, and it is believed to be the day she annihilated Mahishasura.Maharnavami, the ninth day, symbolizes the goddess’s supreme power and is a time for grand celebrations in temples.
- Durga Ashtami: Special prayers, yagnas, and fasting are observed. In Andhra Pradesh, temples are decorated with flowers and lights, and devotees offer traditional items like coconut, fruits, and sweets to the goddess.
- Maharnavami: Celebrated with processions, cultural performances, and worship of young girls (Kumari Puja) who are revered as incarnations of the goddess.
