Bathukamma Festival: Five Things You Need To Know

Bathukamma is a festival of flowers and women. This festival brings womenfolk of the village together and builds a sense of oneness within the family and the society at large. This is celebrated before the Dasara festival in every part of the state. As prelude to the start of the nine-day long festivities, the beautiful floral festival begins with Engili Poola Bathukamma on the first day, that is no-moon day before Dasara with much pomp and gaiety across the state.

What is Bathukamma?

Bathukamma literally means "Mother Goddess come alive." Thus, it is a festival of hope and aspiration. It is celebrated for nine days. The Day 1 is called Engili Poola Bathukamma, the second day is Atukula Bathukamma, third is Muddapappu Bathukamma, fourth - Nanabiyyam Bathukamma, fifth - Atla Bathukamma, sixth - Aligina Bathukamma, seventh Vepakayala Bathukamma, eighth - Venna Muddala Bathukamma and finally the Saddula Bathukamma.

How is the Bathukamma made?

Making of Bathukamma involves a conical floral arrangement in a typical way representing a Gopuram of a temple. The seasonal flowers have medicinal value. Flowers known locally as Thangedu, Gunugu, Bandhi, Chemanthi, Dosa, Katla Puvvu, Beera Puvvu, Gaddipuvvu and Gummadi Puvvu are used. The flowers are carefully stacked on a huge plate in concentric layers.

How is Bathukamma celebrated?

Women usually clean their courtyards and make colourful rangolis on the foreground. On this beautifully decked up Bathukammas are placed and women in their colourful atire complete with gold ornaments. Women circle around the Bathukammas singing songs known as Bathukamma songs, which reflect the rural Telanganite culture.

What happens to Bathukamma Floral Cones?

After covering the whole village, the women carry the bathukammas on their heads and go in a procession to immerse them in the village tank.

What is men's role in Bathukamma?

This is something that feminists can feel happy about. No role except that they can help in collecting flowers and helping in immersion of Bathukammas in tanks.