The best thing about India is that it’s traditional in every possible way, but there’s this unmistakable sense of modernity thrown in there. Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, is one of those cities that lives up to that description. It has an excellent transportation system, modern amenities, and people who are extremely friendly and welcoming. In addition to all that, there’s an underlying layer of tradition that emerges through festivals.

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival - Image via Flickr

Before you get down to the nitty-gritty of the festival, here’s some context: Lord Ganesh is a Hindu deity with the head of an elephant. Now, there’s great significance to this: elephants are considered to be intellectual creatures, so, fittingly, this deity with the elephant head symbolises knowledge and prosperity.

The festival, Ganesh Chaturthi, marks the birth of Lord Ganesh. Throughout the day, people engage in worship, performing dances and singing songs in honour of Lord Ganesh. If you happen to be here during the festival, you’ll find crowded streets and lively processions. The festival culminates with the devotees dunking the idols of Lord Ganesh in lakes.

This is one of the most celebrated festivals all over the world, and Hyderabad, home to a huge Hindu community, takes on the most vibrant and colourful demeanour during the festival. Diwali, translating to Festival of Light, is an occasion that showcases unity. Families come together to light lanterns and adorn floors with rangoli patterns. They share food, ignite fireworks, and light oil lanterns in the evening.

This is also the time when traditional marketplaces come to life. In the days leading up to the festivals, markets like Begum Bazaar and Laad Bazaar are filled to the brim with locals shopping for clothes, jewellery, and ingredients to make festival food. Visiting these markets is a good idea if you want to really dive into the cultural side of the city. Besides, the strategic locations of these places work well in your favour. For instance, both these markets are an hour's drive from Oakwood Residence Kapil Hyderabad, a provider of apartments in Hyderabad.

Christmas is a worldwide celebration. Even though it’s supposed to be a religious holiday celebrated by Christians, ethnic and religious differences carry no weight when it comes to celebrating Christmas. People around the world join in on the festivities, which is wholesome, to say the least. Hyderabad, a city that never misses a chance to turn into festive mode, celebrates Christmas. During December, shopping malls are adorned with twinkling lights and Christmas trees, while Santas spread festive cheer.

This is a festival that celebrates women, their beauty and gentle nature. Flowers are an important part of the festival – local women get together to create flower arrangements and then dance around them while singing traditional songs. During Bathukamma, with flowers and a cheerful atmosphere, the city bursts into a vibrant riot of colours, making it one of the most beautiful things to witness.

Another colourful festival in Hyderabad, Bonalu pays tribute to the Goddess Mahakali. The festival is marked by people carrying Bonam pots, filled with rice, curd, and vermillion. As you may have guessed, there’s singing and dancing involved. The festival reaches its conclusion when participants place their Bonam pots in lakes as a sacrifice to honour the goddess. This is one of the most fascinating festivals to witness, so don’t miss out on it if you’re here during July or August.

Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims in the diverse community of Hyderabad. During the month of Ramadan, the streets take on a quieter note during day time. Come evening, people gather together to break their fast by feasting on delicious food like Haleem. The season of fasting and taking part in various Ramadan-specific religious rituals comes to an end with the grand celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr. On this day, people dress in their finest clothing and attend prayers in mosques, and local houses are filled with the delectable aromas of food and drinks. It’s a festival that brings friends and families together. Charity and friendship are the main themes of Ramadan.