Bhogi 2026: Family, Fire, and Political Messages Mark Andhra’s Festive Spirit

Sankranti celebrations have kicked off across the state with great fanfare. In Vijayawada, the Bhogi festivities witnessed not only traditional fervor but also political protests. Members of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) expressed their dissent by burning copies of land passbooks featuring portraits of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy in the Bhogi bonfires.

Passbooks Targeted for Protests

Speaking to reporters, former Vijayawada Mayor Anuradha said that this year’s Bhogi celebrations sent a strong message. “The public could not tolerate former CM Jagan printing his photographs on passbooks that signify farmers’ rights over ancestral lands. In protest against attempts to use farmers’ property records for personal publicity, people voluntarily threw copies of these passbooks into the Bhogi fire,” she explained.

A Festival Celebrating Family Bonds: MP Kesineni Srinath

Meanwhile, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinath (Chinni) joined people in the Bhogi celebrations. He expressed delight at seeing the three-day festival being celebrated with great enthusiasm across Andhra Pradesh. “Sankranti is not just a rural festival anymore; similar celebrations are happening in urban areas as well. The festival strengthens family bonds, especially as people living abroad or in other cities return home to celebrate with their families,” he said.

GVL Performs Rituals in Visakhapatnam

In Visakhapatnam, former BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao participated in Bhogi festivities at the Andhra University grounds. Following traditional mantras, he offered prayers to the fire deity. “I prayed to God through the Bhogi bonfire to leave behind past adversities and bring happiness, peace, and prosperity into everyone’s lives. May this Sankranti fill every home with joy,” he wished.