Telangana culture and tradition is a lot different than the other Indian states. It existed even before the new state was formed on June 2 in 2014. Hyderabad, the capital of this amazing state is a cultural hub.

When this region was a part of the Hyderabad State, it was called ‘Telinga’ to distinguish the telugu-speaking region from the Marathi-speaking region. Over time, the word telinga changed to Telangana and this is how the 29th state of India got its name. The cultural history of this vibrant state is almost 5,000-year-old. The state has an array of arts, cultures, traditions and religions.

Know more about the traditions, heritage, society, art and culture of Telangana here.

The Diverse Art and Culture of Telangana

Telangana is one of those Indian states that are rich in creative art forms. The Golconda style is one of the most developed art forms in this region. It involves the use of two classic colors, white and gold. The Hyderabad style is another art form that emerged during the 17th century under the Nizam’s rule. It is also called Deccani style and is a lot similar to the Vijayanagara paintings.

Dokra is another art form that involves skilled artisans who use the metal brass to make intricate figurines of gods/goddesses, idols of elephants, horses, and various other animals. The art and culture of Telangana is also strongly influenced by its neighboring states. The Bidri art originating in Bidar, Karnataka is widely used here to make buttons, jewelry boxes, hookahs and many other things.

The Unique Music and Dance Forms of Telangana

The state has the perfect amalgamation of Carnatic and folk music. Kancherlu Gopanna, who is popularly known as Bhakta Ramadasu, was one of the most popular Carnatic music composers. He was also an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. During the Telangana agitation, the folk songs of this region played a very important role. People would listen to these and get motivated to fight with a spirit of unity. You can only gain a firsthand experience of the soulful music of Telangana here. So, why wait? Book cheap last minute flights to Hyderabad and get ready to hear the traditional rhythms.

There are a lot of variations in Telangana culture and tradition when it comes to dance. The men in the region typically perform the ‘Perini Thandavam’, which means ‘dance of warriors. It depicts the dance of warriors in the presence of an idol of Lord Shiva just before heading out for a battle. Bonalu is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Telangana. The devotees take part in spirited dancing during its procession. Book cheap flights to Hyderabad and experience the vibe and grandeur of this state during your visit.

The Beautiful Languages of Telangana

One of the most unique things about the culture of Telangana is that the people here speak a number of languages. Until 1948, Urdu was the official language of the state. And this is the reason why most of the educated elite individuals living in this region were Urdu-speakers.

Now around 76 per cent of the population speaks Telugu, 12 per cent speak Urdu while the remaining 12 per cent speak an array of other languages.

The popular Hyderabadi dialect or Hyderabadi Hindi, which is a mixture of Urdu and Hindi is also widely spoken in Hyderabad. This is also said to be amongst the most fascinating languages around the world.

Also Read:South Indian Culture: Exploring Diversity in Art, Architecture, Language, Food, & More

The Different Religions of Telangana State

The most beautiful thing about the culture and traditions of Telangana is the peaceful co-existence of different religions. It is widely believed that Buddhism was the most dominant religion in the state until the 6th century. At present, Hinduism is the most followed religion here, followed by Islam and Christianity. Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Hanuman and Ganapati are the main deities in this region.

The Vugra Narasimha Swamy Temple in Yadagirigutta and the Thousand Pillar Temple at Warangal are the oldest ones in Telangana. Thousands of devotees from all across the country throng these places every year.

The Colorful and Rich Traditional Dresses of Telangana

Telangana is known worldwide for its high-quality cotton production. The women in the state typically wear churidars, langa voni, and saris. Ikat, Pochampally silk, and Gadwal saris are the most used here. But now, young women mostly prefer fusion or western dresses as these are more convenient to wear.

Following Telangana culture and tradition, men in the region wear Pancha or Dhoti on festivals or special occasions. The males here also prefer to wear t-shirts, jeans, blazers etc. Under the Nizam’s rule, Hyderabadi Sherwani was widely worn by nobles. Now it is worn by grooms and guests during weddings around the state.

The Mouth-Watering Telangana Cuisine

If you are not in Telangana, you can book business class flights to Hyderabad and travel here to enjoy the lip-smacking delicacies. It is a mix of different cuisines and offers a wide range of options for the foodies.

Jowar, millet and bajra are widely used in the preparation of the scrumptious Telugu cuisine. The delicious and popular Hyderabadi cuisine was curated during the Qutub Shahi and Nizam rules. Its flavors are widely infused by the Turkish, Mughal, Persian, Telugu and Marathwada cuisines.

You should definitely try Pacchi Pulusu, Sarva Pindi, and Gutti Vankaya curry from the Telugu cuisine and Hyderabadi Biryani, Chicken 65, Baghare Baigan, Mirchi ka Salan and Double ka Meetha from the Hyderabadi cuisine.

The Colorful Festivals of Telangana

As this vibrant state is home to many religions, it also celebrates an array of amazing festivals. Bathukamma, part of the Dussehra festivities, is a unique festival celebrated here. The Hindu women in Telangana widely take part in its preparations. According to the lunar calendar, it falls between September and October. This forms a major part of the Telangana culture and tradition.

Bonalu is also a popular festival, which is celebrated on a large scale. Not just these, even Christmas, Ramadan, Eid, and Easter are observed with equal excitement in Telangana.

Just book cheap India tickets from USA or any other country in the world and fly to this beautiful state to become a part of the celebrations.

Famous Personalities of Telangana India

Zakir Husain: Former President of India

P.V. Narasimha Rao: Former Prime Minister of India

Sania Mirza: Tennis player

Shabana Azmi: Legendary Bollywood actor

Mohammad Azharuddin: Legendary cricketer

Explore the Telangana Culture and Tradition at these Places

Charminar: The spectacular Charminar is one of the most iconic parts of Telangana culture and tradition. Built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, a ruler from the Qutb Shahi dynasty, the monument is known for its intricate architecture. You can also visit the popular Laad Bazaar to shop for traditional jewelry as it is nearby.

Birla Temple: Also known as Birla Mandir, this was constructed in 1976 by Swami Ranganathananda of Ramakrishna Mission. It took nearly 10 years to be constructed. The structure is built on a 280 ft high hill, Naubath Pahad. It is visited by thousands of devotees annually.

Falaknuma Palace: Now converted into a 5-star hotel, this spectacular palace speaks volumes about the art and culture of Telangana. The scorpion-shaped structure is known for its distinct Palladian architectural style.

Chowmahalla Palace: The former residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad, this palace displays the luxurious lives the royal family of the region lived. Now converted into a museum, you can find an array of weaponry, paintings, cutlery, sculptures, and various other artifacts on display. A number of cars belonging to the Nizams are also on exhibit here.

Telangana culture and tradition is not only unique but also diverse. The people of this state have been living in harmony since centuries and take pride in its heritage.

You can book cheap flights to Hyderabad through Indian Eagle and explore more about its glorious culture during your visit. So, why wait? Plan your itinerary today.

The post Know about the Unique Telangana Culture and Tradition appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.

When it comes to Karnataka culture and tradition, not enough can be said in praise of it. Generally, when we talk about tourism in south India, Karnataka is overlooked in favor of the beaches of Goa, the temples of Tamil Nadu, or the backwaters of Kerala. But not many travelers realize that Karnataka offers all these in abundance and a lot of other attractions as well! The ruins at Hampi are among the most significant historical landmarks in not just Karnataka but the country itself. Also, how can one forget that Karnataka is the famed IT hub of India? Keep reading to know about the fascinating Karnataka culture and tradition.

Heritage of Karnataka:

Karnataka is among the historically rich regions in India. The Karnataka culture and tradition remain incomplete without a mention of the state’s rich heritage. The ruins of the erstwhile Vijayanagar Empire at Hampi are a must-see for history enthusiasts around the world! Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has ruins that bear witness to the reign of various dynasties which persevered for over 300 years. Visit and explore ruins of powerfully built structures that once stood tall. You will find ruins of temples, palaces, forts, and several other historical structures at Hampi.

Art and Culture of Karnataka:

Art is among the things that make the culture of Karnataka stand out. In fact, you can look up Karnataka culture images online and find some of the most mesmerizing artworks ever. Karnataka artists use wood, paper, and cloth among other materials as a base for their fabulous paintings. The popular Mysore-style artworks are, typically, depictions of the royal family, mythical scenes, or various legends. The artists of Karnataka use a particular gesso paste which works as a protective layer over the paintings and has kept them undamaged even after a century.

Also important to note when it comes to Karnataka culture and tradition in art is the fact that the state has over 50 tribes residing here. This has given rise to spectacular tribal art forms. One such art form is the Hase Chitra mud painting which is presently being revived on a large scale. Even if you’re visiting the state on last minute flights for work purposes, take a bit of time out to explore the fascinating art forms of Karnataka.

Music and Dance Forms of Karnataka:

One of the most important things that make Karnataka culture and tradition stand out is that this is the one state where north Hindustani music and the south Carnatic music flourish together. The folk music of Karnataka is absolutely blissful to listen to. Among the most prominent and skilled music composers is Purandara Dasa who has more than 740,000 Sanskrit and Kannada songs to his credit.

Yakshagana, one of the most difficult dance forms ever, has no script and is performed solely on the artists’ spontaneity and improvisations. About five centuries old, the art form takes place only in sophisticated Kannada and not even a single word in any another language is used. Another amazing Karnataka traditional dance is the Dammam dance form of the Siddi community.

Languages of Karnataka:

Language is an important part of Karnataka culture and tradition. Almost 30 percent of the state has been taken over by the Kannadigas. The rest of Karnataka has been occupied by the Tuluvas, Konkanis, and Kodavas. Almost 74 percent of people (or Kannadigas) in Karnataka speak Kannada as a native language. Other languages spoken here are Tulu, Konkani, Kodava, and Urdu. While Kannada is recognized as a linguistic language by experts and the Indian government and is the administrative language of the state, Hindi and English are spoken here as well. So be assured that language will not be a barrier when you visit the state on cheap economy or business class flights.

Customs, Religions, and Traditions in Karnataka:

While there is a good mix of ethnicities in Karnataka, the maximum number of people residing here are Kannadigas. Commonly referred to as Rangbhoomi, theater culture is a vital part of Karnataka culture and tradition. Another intriguing tradition of Karnataka is that during festive occasions, it is common for experts to sing about or narrate important stories, battles, and other legends. The people of north Karnataka have a tradition of worshipping spirits which are generally referred to as Bhootas. When it comes to weddings, the Karnataka culture and tradition are pretty much similar to that of a typical Hindu wedding. Nandi Pooja is done pre-wedding to ensure the ceremony goes smoothly without any glitches.

Karnataka Culture Dress:

Karnataka culture dress varies from one region to another as different districts are inhabited by different tribes. So the north Karnataka traditional dress will be different than the one worn in other parts of the state. The Kodavas believe they have descended from the legendary Alexander the Great and their attire is a distinct differentiator. Women folk in rural Karnataka typically wear Ilkal saris woven using a unique technique known as Tope Teni. These saris are in huge demand every wedding season. Mysore silk is also among the most famous cloth items across the country and is a must-buy when visiting Karnataka. The dhoti or panche is the traditional wear for men folk in Karnataka. In southern Karnataka, the traditional headwear is known as Mysore Peta. However, in the northern parts, the turban-style pagadi or pataga is preferred.

Karnataka Culture Food:

Food is one of the most important aspects of Karnataka culture and tradition. While Karnataka is famous for the varieties of dosa and sambar it serves, the state cuisine is peppered in flavor when it comes to both non-vegetarian and vegetarian food items. However, a typical Kannadiga meal is made up of sambar, rice, ghee, pickle, dessert, and a few other curry-type dishes. Popular dishes you can try include bisi bele bhaat, neer dosa, Mangalorean fish curry, and kori gassi (a type of chicken curry).

Karnataka Work Culture:

When it comes to occupation, the Karnataka culture and tradition is as diverse as it is in terms of dance, dressing, or art forms. Cattle rearing and farming are among the major occupations of people in rural Karnataka. Those settled in the coastal regions focus majorly on fishing. Also, Karnataka has some of the oldest and largest gold mines in India. Therefore, a lot of people are employed in the Kolar gold fields and other mining industries. Hand-carving and other art related to it is also an important form of traditional work in Karnataka. Capital city Bengaluru is a prime IT hub and serves as the headquarters or branches of reputed firms such as Infosys, Wipro, Google, MindTree, Microsoft, and American Express among others.

Karnataka Festivals and Fairs:

One of the most important festivals in Karnataka is the Kambala, an epic buffalo race. An annual two-day festival, this is an integral part of the rural community and is considered as much a sport as it is a tradition. Tracing its roots back almost 800 years, Kambala draws a massive crowd each year. Even if you happen to be holidaying in another Indian state, book cheap flights to Bengaluru and come to Karnataka when this fascinating festival is held. Other festivals celebrated widely and forming an important part of Karnataka culture and tradition include Ugadi, Mysuru Dasara, and the Kannada New Year. Visit and be a part of as many of these amazing festivals as you can!

The post A Guide to the Fantastic Karnataka Culture and Tradition appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.