P E E R L A P A N D A G A
In Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Hindus and Muslims come together to celebrate Peerla Panduga, a mourning festival observed during Muharram. This occasion honors the memory of the Battle of Karbala and is marked by visits to Sufi shrines known as Ashurkhana, where processions featuring the relic called Alam take place. In recent decades, Peerla Pandaga has evolved into a celebration that fosters religious harmony, with many Hindu-majority villages participating without regard for the festival's origins. In regions like Rayalaseema, a firepit known as Gunnam is lit in the village center, symbolizing a sacrifice to God, and processions of Peerlu take place throughout the week. Participants may walk on burning coals, a practice known as mokkubadi, to fulfill their wishes. Hindu temples, such as the Gugudu Kullayaswami temple in Anantapur, are renowned for their grand celebrations of this unique festival, reflecting the interconnectedness of the communities involved.
2024
