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Today, the gap between the rural and urban life is more prominent, that reflects in the Sankranti celebrations. The Telangana government has banned certain rituals like cockfighting. In Hyderabad, the festival focuses on three things: rangoli, Puja, and kite flying.
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Usually, Telugu families paint ‘rangoli’ on their doorstep. But during Makar Sankranti, this adorns homes, offices, clubs, and even metro stations. Puja is another significant aspect of the festival, and the most anticipated activity is kite flying. The skies above nearly every house is adorned with kites of various colours and designs. The Telangana government hosts an annual kite festival at the parade ground.
In Dhoolpet, a congested old city neighbourhood, a bustling kite market with over a hundred shops comes alive, making and selling kites. The area buzzes with people buying kites to fly from rooftops or to take to the parade ground, turning the sky into a canvas of colours.
By day, Amlan Chakraborty a technical architect in IT; by passion, he's an explorer, travel writer and photographer. During his travels, he savors the journey on foot or via public transport, immersing himself in the local culture at street food joints and book corners. Through his lens, he captures and shares the essence of nature, humanity, and cultural and socio-political moments.