Global Hindu Heritage Foundation is extremely happy to inform that People who take Gangireddulu (Decorative Bulls) to each house during Sankranti time, especially on Bhogi Day returned Hindu Dharma. It is a way of celebrating the harvest of the year. The traditional decorative bull 'Gangireddu' surrounded traditional Village atmosphere 'Bhogi' celebration is first day of four-day Pongal / Makara Sankranti festivities in the state of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The Gangireddu communities, who visit houses during Sankranti festivities with their festooned bull, and seek alms, and make the festival complete with their music and dance, are leading a miserable life.
Kollu Srinivasa Raju, our GHHF Associate found out that that Gangireddu Masters were living on the resources of Hindus by taking Gangireddulu to Hindu houses who support them financially. As per custom, these Gangireddu Masters go house to house in Kaanapali village in Ambedkar Konaseema District in Andhra Pradesh. The local villagers recognized five of these Gangireddu Masters practicing Christianity and attending Churches. But on this occasion, they dress like a Hindu, decorate the Bulls, train them to nod the heads and receive donations from the villagers. 
Local villagers confronted them and threatened to banish them from the village for exploiting the resources of Hindus. Our Associate came to know about this situation and went to the village to come up with a solution. All these five Ganireddu Master agreed to return to Hinduism and live in the community. 
    Our Associate and local people took them to a nearby lake to cleanse themselves by taking bath in it, then they took them to the nearby Temple, performed Puja, lighted lamps, applied tilak on their foreheads. Our people gave them a set of clothes and asked them to take a oath that they will practice Hinduism. 
    Many residents participated in this home coming ceremony and welcomed these Gangireddulu Masters back to Hindu Dharma. 
    Kollu Srinivasa Raju welcomed them back to Hinduism and spoke about the richness of Hindu Dharma and how it is different from Christianity. He asked the new coverts to live an honest life and should not be succumbed to deception and allurements. 
    
The History of Gangireddu Community
Gangireddu is a folk dance and ritual in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It involves a decorated bull that is taken from village to village by herdsmen. The bull is adorned with colorful decorations and paraded through the streets, accompanied by music and dance. The ritual is believed to bring prosperity and blessings to the communities through which the bull travels. It is a significant cultural tradition in the region.
The person trains the bull to do some actions as per the instructions given by him, like nodding his head or doing ‘namaskaram’.
People offer money and clothes to the bull.
Festivals of India can be considered as artistic moments as they include the rich vibrant colors of joy by bringing people together. The painting captures the Telugu tradition of “Sankranti” – the harvest festival of India. A month prior to the harvest season, Gangireddu – a decorated bull, trained by its master to nod its head as a way of greeting, is taken on a tour from door to door on the streets of South India to spread the joy of harvest season. 
There is a phrase in Telugu “Gangireddulaga tala upadam (గంగిరెద్దులాగ తలూపడం)”, which means ‘nodding head like a Gangireddu'.
If somebody just nods his head without understanding the meaning of the sentence, this phrase is used.
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