Former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, IT Minister Nara Lokesh, and other ministers felicitating educationist Golla Narayana Rao at Punnami Ghat on the banks of Krishna river, in Vijayawada on Monday.
| Photo Credit: G.N. RAO
The Vijayawada Utsav commenced with pomp and gaiety at Punnami Ghat, marking the reopening of the iconic Gollapudi Exhibition Grounds after 12 years, on Monday (September 22, 2025). Former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of IT and Education Nara Lokesh, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Shivanath, and several State ministers and MLAs graced the inaugural day festivities.
The event started off with a firecracker show along the banks of Krishna river and Vijayawada MP Shivanath welcomed the dignitaries. The Utsav, organised under the Society for Vibrant Vijayawada with the support of State government, aims to blend cultural, spiritual, and entertainment programmes across the city.
A firecracker show was organised as part of the inauguration of Vijayawada Utsav at Punnami Ghat on the banks of Krishna river on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
G.N. RAO
A major highlight of the Utsav was the reopening of Gollapudi Exhibition Grounds after the Supreme Court cleared all legal hurdles, allowing the venue to host events from September 24 for 54 days. The exhibition will feature amusement parks, shopping stalls, modern industrial and agricultural displays, along with traditional cultural performances, creating a vibrant atmosphere for the visitors.
On September 28, a massive carnival will be organised, featuring around 3,000 artists in traditional Dasara attire, aiming for a Guinness World Record. Distinguished guests, including Vice-President Jagdeep Radhakrishnan, Union Ministers, and Governors of various States are expected to attend the event. They will first offer prayers at the Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri and then participate in the Utsav.
Mr. Shivanath said that the exhibition’s revival is a historic milestone for Vijayawada, enhancing both cultural vibrance and business opportunities. The event is expected to attract large crowds, with helicopter rides, food festivals, art-and-craft exhibitions, and cultural programmes.
Published – September 22, 2025 11:03 pm IST
