Bathukamma:Telangana women celebrate the vibrant festival in Hyderabad

Marking the beginning of Sarath Ruthu, the nine-day floral festival of Telangana, Bathukamma began on September 28. A large number of women devotees took out a massive rally from LB Stadium to Tank Bund in Telangana as part of Maha Bathukamma celebrations on October 6. The eight-day festival was be celebrated from September 28 to October 6, this year. Bathukamma is a colourful and vibrant festival observed in Telangana and celebrated by women, with flowers that grow exclusively in each region.

"This is the biggest festival celebrated in the state of Telangana. After the formation of the state, Bathukamma was declared as the state festival. It is a 9-days festival where girls and women of different age dance with enthusiasm and excitement in front of Bathukamma," All Yadav Women Wing Chairperson Bonthu Sridevi Yadav told ANI. 

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Women were seen celebrating the festival and dancing on the road. Jhanvi, a devotee at the rally said, "The processions started from LB stadium and ends at Tank Bund, People from the different district came here on this occasion to participate in the Bathukamma celebration." 

The Chief Minister of Telangana, K. Chandrashekar Rao took to Twitter and extended his wishes on this auspicious day. 

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Performing Rituals

The devotees perform rituals and worship Hindu deity Gauri Devi in the form of Bathukamma, which is very similar to Durga Puja. Different names are given to the Hindu deity for nine days. The festival begins with Engili Pula Bathukamma and culminates with Saddula Bathukamma on the last day.

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The festival of flowers

This festival is a symbol of Telangana’s cultural identity. It comes at the end of monsoon, before the onset of winter. The monsoon rains usually bring plenty of water into the freshwater ponds of Telangana and it is also the time when wildflowers bloom in various vibrant colours all across the uncultivated and barren plains of the region. During the festival, flower sale in Telangana increases manifold as the Bathukamma idols are made up of flower stack and arranged in seven concentric layers in the shape of temple Gopuram. Seasonal flowers that have medicinal values are used to make the idols. The festivals end with the devotees immersing the idol in Bathukamma Ghat at Tank Bund lake.

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(with ANI inputs)