Makar Sankranti is a festival of high spirit throughout Andhra Pradesh but, in places like Godavari, Narsipatnam and Guntur, the festival is especially celebrated in a certain way. The event is marked by the hosting of grand dinners for the Alludu, the son-in-law in Telugu, particularly if it is his first coming home after wedding.
In Godavari district’s Adurru village, Vijjapu Venkata Ratnam and Sushila gave their daughter Keerthisri and son-in-law Boddu Sai Sharath a welcome to remember. On the occasion of Sharath’s first Sankranti visit, the family arranged a whopping 1,374 dishes which included not only traditional sweets and snacks but also fruits, juices, and specialties from various places. The jubilations turned the home into a lively exhibition of culinary richness.
As a gesture to the newly wed couple, 12 special gifts were given to them, each representing a month of the year and bringing along good wishes for a happy and rich marital life.
A likewise expression of love was evident in Narsipatnam, where Nalam Ramesh Kumar and Kalavathi glorified their son-in-law Sriharsha with a magnificent feast consisting of 290 traditional flour-based dishes, which were made especially for his first Sankranti celebration after marriage.
In Guntur district’s Tenali town, Vandanapu Muralikrishna and his wife treated their daughter Maunika and son-in-law Sridatta with a lavish banquet of 158 dishes, thus, keeping up the old custom of the celebration of the Alludu with grandeur and pride.
On the other hand, in Amalapuram, the Sankranti ritual was taken to a new style. Aditya Ram, a Chennai businessman, popularly called “Amalapuram Alludu,” appeared at his in-laws’ residence in a fancy Tesla and drew large crowds and attention. Interestingly, during the previous year’s Sankranti, he had come in a Rolls Royce which made his visit a gossip among the people.
These festivities depict the scenario that Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh is a fusion of the ancient practices with the present lifestyles, the whole scenario, however, is around family ties and warm hospitality.
