Bathukamma, a part of Dasara festivities, is unique to Telangana. This land is known for its diverse culture and traditions, which include art, dance, folk song and festivals. Bathukamma is a special festival where flowers are worshiped as gods. Women folks do skilfully orange the flowers into intricate design, displaying their creativity and artistry. It stands as a symbol of state culture and traditions and shows its connection with nature. Nine day Bathukamma festival will start from October 2.
Bathukamma is not just a festival; it is a celebration of life, nature, and the prosperity of the state. Bathukamma, which means 'Mother Goddess come alive', is a festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Gauri Devi, the embodiment of fertility and life. Everything from the arrangement of flowers to the singing of songs unfolds gracefully.
Bathukamma celebration is a very favourite festival for women. In this 9-day celebration, many locally available flowers such as Tangedu (Senna auriculata), Jilledu (Apocynaceae), Gummadi (Cucurbita), Beera(Ridge Guard - Luffa acutangula), Gunugu (Celosia – Amaranthaceae), Banti (Marigold), Chemanti(Chrysanthemums) seem to be used to orange the goddess during the festival.
Bathukamma is made from different types of flowers which are known to have medicinal values. Women gather in a large circle around the flowers and sing songs by making rounds around them repeatedly, building a beautiful human circle of unity, love, motherhood.
Bathukamma is decorated with different types of flowers. It is traditional to place a Gouramma (Gouri Devi) made of turmeric on top and decorate it with lamps. Some people call this Gouramma as Boddemma while others treat it as Goddess Amma.
This festival is considered by spiritual seekers as a collective 'Shakti Upasana', an awakening to self-consciousness. This celebration starts one day before Dasara festival (Sharannavaratri). During the Navaratri auspicious days, it is customary to pray to Goddess (Amma) for healthy life and spiritual upliftment.
The Devi Purana emphasizes that all the people should worship the Goddess during the autumn Navratri days. In this background Bathukamma festival is celebrated in Telangana region one day before starting of Sharannava Ratri i.e. from Bhadrapada Bahula Amavasya to Ashvayuja Shukla Ashtami.
Bathukamma is considered not only as an aspect of Goddess Gouri Devi, Lakshmi and Parvati, but also as Amma, the embodiment of nature and the mother of their house. Not only do they worship the goddess with songs and folk dances, but they also put all the pains and pleasures of the mind in front of the Goddess. Also add epic stories and historical events into the songs.
During the Nine day festival, they prepare different types of offerings (Prasad). Offerings include variety of traditional dishes. That are - Pulihora, Pulagam, Jaggery Rice, Perugannam, Payasannam etc,.
The 9-day Bathukamma festival symbolizes the new months of motherhood. It is for this reason that this festival is also known as the celebration of fertility. Songs of these celebrations have hints about health and food habits of pregnant women. Devotees believe that if they worship Bathukamma and do charity on these 9 days, they will be blessed with good children.
Even during the Kakatiya period, the Bathukamma festival was held in grandeur. This festival is similar to Onam in Kerala, Atlathadde, Kolatam and Gobbemma festivals in AP. Also there are similarities between Gujarati Dandiya and Bathukamma. Similar festivals are seen all over the country with different names and forms.
