CM highlights culture, tourism and artisanship
Vijayawada, Oct 20: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday inaugurated Vijayawada Utsav-2.0, describing the week-long carnival as a platform to showcase the state’s arts and culture, promote tourism and create opportunities for local artists and handicraft workers.
Addressing the opening of the event, the Chief Minister said such festivals bring joy and serve to preserve the region’s cultural heritage while also contributing to citizens’ mental well‑being. He linked participation in cultural and spiritual programmes to stress relief, and said the state should project its arts, traditions and Telugu cultural legacy to a wider audience.
“Vijayawada Utsav-2.0 was organised to showcase arts and culture… Technology causes stress and to overcome it one must practise spirituality. Spirituality can help us conquer our minds, and programmes such as Vijayawada Utsav should be organised to enhance mental well‑being,” said Naidu.
Procession, rituals and attendance
The inauguration featured a cultural procession that began with the Vijayawada Utsav chariot, decorated with flowers sourced from Kakaraparru and Kadiyam, and an image of the Goddess crafted using different varieties of flowers. Performances included horse and camel displays, Dappu and Nadaswaram instrumental groups and Garadi troupes, reflecting traditional forms of the region.
Naidu said the concurrent holding of Vijayawada Utsav and the national-level Saras Mela had given the city a distinctive artistic identity. He also noted a reported increase in devotees visiting the Kanaka Durga temple during this year’s Dasara festival, stating the number was two lakh higher than last year.
Political and administrative context
The Chief Minister was joined by the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh at the event. In his remarks, Naidu criticised the previous YSRCP regime, alleging festivals were not held during that period and claiming the state had witnessed unrest before 2024. He said his government would focus on welfare, development and improved service delivery through good governance.
Naidu also said he had prayed to Goddess Durga to grant the state strength to overcome drought and reiterated his commitment to transform Andhra Pradesh into a “healthy, wealthy and happy” society.
Local arts and economic implications
Organisers presented the Utsav as an opportunity for local artisans and handicraft workers to connect with visitors and buyers, potentially aiding livelihoods linked to tourism and handloom/handicraft sectors. The state’s emphasis on cultural promotion comes as part of efforts to strengthen tourism receipts and support small‑scale cultural enterprises.
- Event: Vijayawada Utsav‑2.0, inaugurated Oct 20
- Key focus: Arts, culture, tourism, artisan livelihoods and mental well‑being
- Notable attendance: Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reported increase in Dasara devotees | 2,00,000 more than last year |
| Procession features | Chariot with flowers from Kakaraparru and Kadiyam; Dappu, Nadaswaram, Garadi |
The inauguration highlighted cultural performance as a vehicle for both civic pride and economic activity. For Vijayawada — a city positioned as a key pilgrimage and commercial centre in Andhra Pradesh — such events can bolster footfall in markets, temples and hospitality venues, and generate short‑term demand for services and handicrafts.
City residents and stakeholders will be watching whether the festival translates into sustained gains for artisans and tourism operators beyond the event period, and how the administration leverages the spotlight to support those sectors amid broader development and drought‑management priorities.
The inauguration and associated programmes are expected to continue through the scheduled festival period, offering multiple showcases of regional culture and opportunities for local performers and craftspersons to engage with audiences from within the state and beyond.
