Celebrating Kanuma festival of animals

Andhra Pradesh, people are celebrating Kanuma, the festival of animals, today on the third day of Makara Sankranthi. The cattle are being worshipped today mostly in rural areas of the state as farming community consider the importance of the cattle in the nourishment and development of the society. People also believe lord Krishna saved the cattle by lifting up Govardhana hill on this day. The continuous calamities occurred last year might have reduced the level of celebrations for this Sankranthi in some areas of Andhra Pradesh. The high level of inflation and rising food prices might have also caused concern for the common man. But the traditional spirit has not been dampened for Sankranthi festivities. People, especially in rural areas of the state are customarily celebrating Kanuma, the festival of animals today, on the third day of Sankranthi. After a thorough wash, the cattle are being adorned and worshipped as a mark of respect as they are identified as prosperity for farmers in the agrarian societies apart from the utilitarian features. The traditional agriculture tools are also worshipped. The farmers showcase their bulls and adorned cattle on the occasion by taking out processions in the streets of their villages. Cattle compititions and rural sports for youth are marking the day. The farming community also feed and honour those people who all extend help in their daily chores including domestic maids, agriculture labour, washer men and women, barbers, blacksmiths and cobblers as they observe thanks giving day on Kanuma. In urban areas, kite-flying is predominant as children and elders are competing alike in flying kites. On the advice of police, some open areas like stadiums and parks have been identified for kite flying in Hyderabad to avoid any accidents.