Hyderabad: In a month when Valentine’s Day usually takes centre stage, many women in Hyderabad are choosing to celebrate female friendship.Galentine’s Day, observed on Feb 13, has been steadily gaining popularity in the city over the past two years. What began as a light-hearted joke on the American TV show Parks and Recreation in 2010 has evolved into a global celebration of female friendship. Today, from Pune and Mumbai to Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru, women are embracing the idea that love isn’t limited to romance.In Hyderabad, the celebrations this year stretched from Feb 7 to 14, with women organising brunches, intimate gatherings and activity-based meetups. The focus was simple: platonic love, chosen family and unwavering support systems. “I’m newly single and divorced, and I’m tired of the pressure to ‘move on’,” said a 32-year-old IT professional from Kondapur. “Celebrating Galentine’s Day with my girl gang reminded me that my life is fulfilling, even without a romantic partner. My friends planned activities across eight days, and it was incredibly reassuring.”Several women’s groups in the city hosted low-key, closed-door events. Social media pages amplified the spirit, sharing pictures of cosy get-togethers, handwritten notes, themed dinners and even horse-riding sessions organised over the week.Participants say the day offers comfort, especially for those navigating break-ups or separation. More than pink decor and cupcakes, it has become a space to pause and acknowledge friendships that often anchor women through life’s uncertainties.Mental health experts see value in the trend. Dr Charan Teja Koganti, consulting psychiatrist at KIMS, Kondapur, said he has encouraged clients dealing with emotional stress after relationship setbacks to celebrate such occasions with close friends. “Many reported feeling uplifted and supported. Social connection plays a crucial role in emotional resilience,” he noted.As Hyderabad joins the global wave, Galentine’s Day is quietly reshaping conversations around love, reminding women that sometimes, the strongest bonds are the ones built on friendship.
