Manasa Varanasi's Hyderabad Journey: Bhogi Fires and Kite-Filled Skies
As Hyderabad residents wake up to Bhogi fires lighting the morning sky and colorful kites dancing above, actress Manasa Varanasi finds herself transported back to the memories that shaped her childhood and continue to ground her today. Her journey from growing up in Ashok Nagar near Lower Tank Bund to now living in Hitec City mirrors the city's own remarkable evolution.
For Varanasi, Bhogi and Sankranti represent more than just annual festivals. They serve as powerful markers of time that remind her of home, family, and the quiet yet profound act of beginning again.
Terrace Battles and Sky-High Joy in Ashok Nagar
"I grew up chasing kites on the terraces of Ashok Nagar," Varanasi recalls with evident warmth. "It was pure joy." Growing up near Lower Tank Bund meant experiencing some of the best kite-flying scenes imaginable during Sankranti.
Every evening during the festival, she and others would rush to their terraces to compete with neighboring apartments. That sense of friendly rivalry remains her strongest memory from those days. What she loved most was how Sankranti became the one day when everyone connected, even without knowing the people next door.
"Even now, when I return to my grandmother's place, the terrace fills with flying kites, laughter, and festive energy," she shares. Lower Tank Bund during this time feels like a celebration in motion to her. Though she now lives in Hitec City, far from those old terraces, Sankranti consistently pulls her back to Ashok Nagar memories - to a time when the sky itself felt like an endless playground.
Family Traditions and Ammamma's Cooking
Varanasi's family never followed strict rituals for Bhogi or Sankranti. At home, celebrations remained simple and relaxed, typically involving dressing up in traditional clothes and enjoying homemade treats like arisalu, appadalu, and murukkulu.
"The taste of my ammamma's murukkulu still feels like home," she confesses. Though she has never been much for sweets, preferring spicy snacks instead, murukkulu has always been her favorite, especially the batches her grandmother would prepare.
Family means everything to Varanasi, and her ammamma's house in Ashok Nagar has always served as their festival gathering spot. "There's something priceless about being with people you can be completely yourself around," she reflects. Festivals strengthen those bonds further, creating moments when everyone slows down, shares experiences, and simply exists together.
The Spiritual Meaning of Bhogi
Bhogi holds deep spiritual significance for Varanasi. The festival symbolizes shedding the old and welcoming the new in her understanding. For her family, this translated to simple practices: waking up early, lighting the Bhogi fire, and reciting mantras.
Beyond the ritual itself, Bhogi represents letting go of old habits, memories, and cycles that no longer serve a purpose. "The past year taught me many lessons and gave me clarity about what I need to cut off and what I should focus on," she reveals.
Watching the Bhogi fires in her area early in the morning always feels grounding to her. This experience reminds her that renewal doesn't need to be dramatic - it can be quiet, intentional, and deeply personal.
Sankranti as a Call to Conscious Living
Sankranti reminds Varanasi to live consciously. In today's fast-paced world, she finds it easy to get swept away by life's demands. The festival serves as a reminder to pause, breathe, sit with oneself, and feel grateful.
More than anything, Sankranti represents making intentional choices about how we live, what we hold onto, and what we release. "For me, Sankranti is a call to begin again, with awareness and purpose," she states.
Hyderabad has given her life, culture, food, and countless experiences. Every Bhogi there feels like a conversation between who she was and who she is becoming.
Personal Reflections on Growth and Home
Varanasi shares two particularly meaningful perspectives:
"Bhogi is not just a ritual for me. It is a reminder that growth begins with release - with the courage to let go of what no longer serves you. Watching the Bhogi fires burn always feels like a quiet promise of renewal."
She adds: "Sankranti takes me back to terraces full of kites, neighbors who felt like friends, and the comfort of my ammamma's home in Ashok Nagar. It is a reminder that home is not just a place, but a feeling you carry with you."
