Mutton & merrymaking mark Telugu ‘Dushera’

Vijayadashmi is a big day in Telugu homes. This is considered the most auspicious day to buy a new house, vehicle, land, jewellery or to start a business, or any new venture. This is also the day when they make merry, in true Telugu style with fabulous food.

In the Telangana region, new clothes are a must on Dushera. Young girls pray to Bhattakama with flowers of varied shapes and colours, sing and dance. “Some do this ceremony for just two days, while others for nine days till Navaratri. “The 10th day, Vijayadashmi begins early for us, with an elaborate puja. Mango leaves and marigold flowers decorate the main door of every house, vehicles, tools, and other instruments of trade are sanctified with an Ayudha puja. And then our feast begins,” said Indira N Reddy. Well, feast is to say the least.
Breakfast for the Reddy community on Dasara is puri and mutton kheema. “Yes, we have non-vegetarian food for breakfast this day,” said Indira, laughing at the incredulity. “Lunch is usually a plain pulav and mutton with egg plant.”

Pulav is basmati rice, cooked with garam masala and bay leaves, and no vegetables. And for dinner, there’s mutton again, but a fry or any dry preparation. “In the evenings, youngsters and children pay respects to their elders by offering them leaves of Jammi tree and seek their blessings. Elders bless them, and also give them some money,” explained Indira.

Meanwhile, the men go overboard with alcohol, usually local toddy. “You can’t even dare say hello to a man that evening because they would all be so drunk,” she said. Those hailing from Kakinada region celebrate it a little sedately as compared to the
Telengana Reddys.