bathukamma
Bathukamma is a telangana festival that is celebrated during the Navaratris of Dusheera. It is goddess Gowri/Gouri that is celebrated in the form of Bathukamma. This is a nine day long festival that ends on Durgashtami and is called as Chaddula Bathukamma.
A festival known as Bodemma festival is observed on the Badhrapada Amavasya which marks the end of the rainy season(varsha ruthuvu) and Bathukamma starts the next day which marks the begining of the sarath ruthuvu.
If we go by the word the equivalent meaning of the telugu word Bathukamma is “come alive goddess”.
Bathukamma is prepared using flowers arranged into a conical form. Normally seven layers of seven different flowers are used for preparing the conical form. The seven flower used are Gunuka, Tangedi, Lotus, Alli, Katla, Teku flowers which are available in this season are used. On top of the conical form a Pumpkin flower is kept.The goddess in the form of turmeric is placed on top of it and worshipped.
bathukamma festival
The Bathukamma is then immersed in the local ponds and lakes. Before immersion it is a tradition, where are the women in neighborhood bring their Bathukammas and place them at one place and dance around them. The women are dressed in their traditional best.
On the culmination Malleda a offering made of jaggery is offered and distributed.
