Bathukamma: A Cultural Celebration of Telangana
Bathukamma is a celebration of life and an important part of the cultural renaissance movement of Telangana, the youngest state of the Indian Republic. This festival, accorded as the state festival, is primarily celebrated by women and is a symbol of Telangana's cultural identity and a unique tribute to nature.
Celebrated for 9 days during Navarathris, Bathukamma starts with colorful flowers that grow exclusively in each region and culminates in a water body. The festival begins on the day of Bhadrapada / Mahalaya Amavasya and concludes on Ashwayuja Asthami, just before the onset of Winter. It honors goddess Gouri, and women seek her blessings for prosperity and good health.
The festival revolves around the intrinsic relationship between earth, water, and human beings. Women create a deity of Gowri, made with earthly mud, called "boddemma," along with Bathukamma. These are placed on top of conical flower arrangements that signify both life and eternity. The goddess is created each year and immersed in local water bodies on the 10th day of the festival.
During the festival, the region is adorned with vibrant colors and a variety of flowers, including "gunuka poolu" and "tangedi poolu." The monsoon rains bring plenty of water into the fresh water ponds, and wild flowers bloom across the uncultivated plains, adding to the beauty of this colorful celebration.
Bathukamma is a grand cultural event that has been celebrated for centuries and continues to be cherished in the region today.
