Vizianagaram Villages Skip Bhogi Bonfires Due to Past Misfortunes

• Several villages in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, do not light Bhogi bonfires during the Sankranti festival.
• This unique tradition stems from past inauspicious incidents, fire accidents, and loss of life associated with bonfires.
• Villages like Kakarapalli, Sriharinayudu Peta, Vasudevapatnam, Kondagudem, Antakapalli, K. Kothavalasa, and M. Seetharampuram observe this custom.
• Incidents include a cat falling into a bonfire in Kakarapalli and oxen dying in K. Kothavalasa, leading to the abandonment of the tradition.
• Youth and villagers respect this age-old custom, prioritizing house cleaning, prayers, and temple visits on Bhogi day.

Why It Matters: Vizianagaram villages forgo Bhogi bonfires, honoring a 50-year tradition born from past misfortunes.