In many villages across Telangana, Peerla Pandaga has been observed for generations during the Islamic month of Muharram. While customs vary from place to place, in several villages it has become a shared part of local life, with people from different communities participating together.

“To see what makes our village special, you have to visit us during Muharram,” says the Sarpanch of Bommalaramaram.

“For us, this is how we have always known Peerla Pandaga. The preparations begin days in advance. People come together to clean the chavadi, install the Alams (sacred standards), and help organise the procession. When the drums start beating, our streets fill with people walking side by side. At that moment, we don’t think about who belongs to which community. We only think about our village and our responsibility to carry this tradition forward.

We grew up watching our elders do the same. They taught us to respect one another and to stand together during important occasions. Today, we try to pass those values on to our children. Traditions survive because each generation chooses to protect them. That is what Peerla Pandaga means to us.”