Kishan Reddy joins Chhath Puja at Hyderabad's Necklace Road
Synopsis
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy joined Chhath Puja celebrations at Necklace Road along Hussain Sagar lake in Hyderabad on November 15, extending greetings to devotees and witnessing prayers to Surya Dev at the growing migrant-community festival.
Key Takeaways
Kishan Reddy , Union Minister of Coal and Mines and BJP Telangana president, attended Chhath Puja at Necklace Road, Hyderabad on November 15, 2026 .
He extended greetings to devotees and those observing the sacred fast dedicated to Surya Dev .
Chhath Puja, rooted in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh , has expanded to southern cities including Hyderabad due to internal migration.
Necklace Road along Hussain Sagar lake serves as a key public venue for large community gatherings in Hyderabad.
Senior political figures across parties routinely participate in major Hindu festivals as part of community and cultural outreach.
At the edge of Hussain Sagar lake, with lamps lit and devotees waist-deep in water, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy joined Chhath Puja celebrations at Necklace Road, Hyderabad on Sunday, November 15, 2026, extending greetings to worshippers and those observing the sacred fast.
Reddy, who also serves as BJP Telangana state president, witnessed devotees gather to offer prayers to Surya Dev — the sun god at the centre of this four-day Hindu festival. He described the atmosphere as one of deep devotion and enthusiasm, noting the collective gratitude expressed by worshippers.
Chhath finds a home by Hussain Sagar
Chhath Puja has its roots in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, but it has steadily taken hold in southern cities as internal migration reshapes the cultural geography of urban India. Necklace Road, Hyderabad's broad lakeside promenade hugging Hussain Sagar, has become a natural gathering point for the city's northern and eastern migrant communities — its open waterfront mirroring the ghats where the festival is traditionally observed. The festival itself spans four days, anchored by ritual fasting, evening and dawn offerings to the sun, and a communal spirit that cuts across region and generation. For migrant families far from their home states, celebrations like this one at Necklace Road carry both religious and emotional weight.Political outreach through cultural participation
Reddy's appearance follows a well-established pattern among senior political figures across parties: showing up at major Hindu festivals to connect with migrant and local communities alike. For the BJP's Telangana unit, engaging the state's substantial north-Indian diaspora at a moment of collective faith is both culturally resonant and politically deliberate — without being reducible to either alone. As Telangana's BJP state chief, Reddy has consistently worked to expand the party's footprint in a state where it remains in opposition. Participation at a festival with deep emotional roots for millions of Bihari and UP-origin residents signals an inclusive cultural outreach that extends well beyond his ministerial brief.Point of View
Where the party seeks to broaden its electoral base beyond its traditional support groups, visibility at Chhath Puja is an investment in community goodwill. The festival's expansion into southern cities is itself a marker of India's shifting internal migration patterns, making such events politically significant beyond any single party's calculus. Expect similar participation from political leaders across the spectrum as Chhath's footprint in metros outside Bihar and UP continues to grow.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kishan Reddy attend Chhath Puja in Hyderabad?
As Union Coal and Mines Minister and BJP Telangana state president, Kishan Reddy attended the Chhath Puja celebrations at Necklace Road, Hyderabad on November 15, 2026, to extend greetings to devotees and engage with the city's north-Indian and eastern-state migrant community.
Where is Chhath Puja celebrated in Hyderabad?
Necklace Road, the public promenade along Hussain Sagar lake in Hyderabad, is a prominent venue for Chhath Puja celebrations, its open waterfront making it a natural gathering space for devotees who offer prayers to Surya Dev.
What is Chhath Puja and which god is worshipped?
Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu festival dedicated to Surya Dev, the sun god. Devotees observe ritual fasting and make offerings at water bodies at sunset and sunrise, traditionally observed in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Is Chhath Puja celebrated in southern India?
Yes, Chhath Puja observances have grown significantly in southern cities including Hyderabad, driven by internal migration from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, with large community gatherings now held at public venues like Necklace Road.
What is G. Kishan Reddy's role in BJP Telangana?
G. Kishan Reddy serves as the BJP Telangana state president in addition to his role as Union Minister of Coal and Mines in the central government.
