Saddula Bathukamma -19

Immersed bathukammas in pond at Padmakshi temple

Today, Durgashtami, Telangana has celebrated 'Saddula Bathukamma' festival with great fervour.  

Women carrying bathukamma on their head

Though it was raining women dressed up traditionally in their best carried bathukammas on their or otherwise, and reached nearest temple.  Women played with devotion singing songs in praise of  'Gouri Devi'.  After leaving bathukammas in water they offered turmeric to one another for longevity happy marital life. 

After Gouri puja, turmeric is offered to one another

 Here are few pictures taken at Padmakshi temple in Hanamkonda, Warangal.

Traditionally dressed woman with bathukamma with picture of Devi Maa

Though it rained, the lights, huge crowds was creating some anxiety carrying bathukamma safely has made her sweat

Bathukamma too tall to carry on head, so this is how this young beautiful girl was carrying it

Another woman with carrying Devi Maa on top of her Bathukamma

A woman with bathukamma waiting for her companions to go to Padmakshi

Bathukamma Festival

Bathukamma is festival of flowers in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh – India. This festival is celebrated on Durgashtami – 8th day of Ashwayuja masam (month). The festival starts on the last day of Bhadrapada masam, that is on Amavasya which is also known as 'pithru amavasya'. From that day onwards women will make Bathukamma with flowers, join in groups in the evening and keep all Bathukammas in the centre and go round it with rhythmic clapping of hands and singing songs. On the last day – ninth day that is Durgashtami, a big Bathukamma and a small Bathukamma is made. In the morning Goddess Kali is worshipped and in the evening women join in groups and go to a nearby temple and play Bathukamma singing songs and going round the Bathukammas with rhythmic clapping of hands. After that they offer pasupu (turmeric) and kumkum to one another and offer prasadam of sattu pindi (roasted and powdered corns mixed with sugar or jaggery).
This festival is specific to Telangana region. In Warangal district it is celebrated with fervour. In Hanamkonda region most of them go to Padmakshi temple to play. The other important temples are Thousand pillars temple and Bhadrakali temple. There are many other small temples where woman in the nearby locality will visit to play. After playing usually the Bathukammas are left in the water, tank or lake near the temple or else just leave to a side in the temple premises. People believe that celebration of this festival will bring peace and prosperity to the family and long life to the husband of the woman.