Vijayawada Utsav Concludes, Showcasing Telugu Culture and Boosting Cultural Tourism

The ten-day Vijayawada Utsav, a vibrant celebration of spirituality, folk traditions, cultural performances and handicrafts, has concluded, with festivities coming to an end on October 20 as part of the Dasara celebrations. The event aimed to showcase Andhra Pradesh’s cultural richness to a wider audience and establish Vijayawada as a prominent destination for spiritual and cultural tourism.

Dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kanaka Durga, the festival brought together classical art forms, folk performances, devotional programmes, entertainment activities and exhibitions. The celebrations attracted visitors with a mix of religious traditions and cultural experiences, highlighting the region’s artistic diversity.

The Saras Mela, organised for the first time in South India, emerged as a major attraction. It featured handicrafts and traditional products from different parts of the country, giving visitors an opportunity to explore and purchase locally made goods from various regions.

The festival also drew prominent personalities, including President Droupadi Murmu, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and a Chinese delegation. Their participation added significance to the celebrations and highlighted the event’s wider cultural appeal.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu stressed the need to integrate spirituality, knowledge and technology in the state’s development. He said events such as Vijayawada Utsav and the Saras Mela could help take Andhra Pradesh’s artistic traditions and Telugu culture to a broader audience. He also emphasised their role in encouraging cultural exchange between regions.

Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath said around 1.5 lakh to two lakh devotees visit Goddess Kanaka Durga daily during Navaratri. Organisers believe that combining the city’s religious importance with cultural tourism could attract more visitors and strengthen its tourism potential.

The festival provided a platform for showcasing Kondapalli toys, a renowned traditional craft of the region, alongside handicrafts and indigenous art forms from across India. It also sought to generate livelihood opportunities for artisans, craftspeople, small business owners and vendors.

By bringing spirituality, traditional arts and cultural exchange together, Vijayawada Utsav aimed to elevate the city’s profile alongside established destinations such as Varanasi and Mysuru. The initiative seeks to preserve cultural traditions while positioning Vijayawada as a major centre for spiritual and cultural tourism.