Vijayawada Utsav 2.0 will showcase the city’s cultural and spiritual heritage, say Ministers

Ministers Kandula Durgesh (Tourism) and Satya Kumar Yadav (Health), along with others, releasing the poster for Vijayawada Utsav 2.0 at a curtain-raiser event in Vijayawada on Monday. | Photo Credit: G.N. RAO Minister of Tourism Kandula Durgesh on Monday (September 28, 2026) said that Vijayawada Utsav 2.0 should evolve into an economic engine for the city by promoting tourism and creating opportunities for local businesses, artists, and other sections, rather than remaining confined to entertainment.Speaking at the curtain-raiser for the festival at Ambedkar Kala Vedika, Mr. Durgesh said the Tourism Department will extend full support to the festival and stressed the need to provide greater opportunities to local traders, auto-rickshaw drivers, and artistes by promoting traditional folk forms such as leather puppetry and Tappetagullu, while also giving space to padyam and mythological theatre.Minister of Medical and Health and district in-charge Minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav said Vijayawada’s rich historical, spiritual, and cultural heritage will be showcased nationally and internationally through the festival. Cultural and entertainment programmes would be organised alongside spiritual activities during Dasara, he said.Vijayawada MP Kesineni Shivnath (Chinni) said the second edition of the festival was being organised with the support of the State government and Tourism Department by the Society for Vibrant Vijayawada, following the public response to last year’s event.The festival would showcase the city’s cultural, spiritual, and historical heritage while promoting Vijayawada as a tourism and commercial destination. It would also create income and employment opportunities for local traders, small businesses, auto-rickshaw drivers, and artistes, he said.Mr. Chinni appealed to residents and businesses to decorate their houses and establishments during Dasara and the festival and extend hospitality to devotees visiting the city. Chief Ministers of other States and prominent industrialists were also being invited, he said.A National Saras Mela would be organised for the first time at Punnami Ghat as part of the festival. As many as 650 stalls would be set up by women self-help groups from across the country to display and market their products, including 230 stalls for groups from Andhra Pradesh.The festival trailer, song, and posters were launched at the event. MLAs Gadde Rammohan, Bonda Uma, and Venigandla Ramu, MLC Varla Ramaiah and other public representatives were also present. Published - September 28, 2026 07:53 pm IST