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

Beautiful Bhutan

Bhutan is a beautiful kingdom in Himalayas bounded in south by India and north by China.  This is the only nation in the world which measures its development in terms of gross national happiness.  

This nation with sixty percent of land under forest cover is the only nation in the world that is carbon negative.  Without giving up their ancient culture and traditions this Buddhist nation is developing as model nation in the world with 100% organic farming.  Agriculture is the main livelihood with farming and animal husbandry.  Tourism and sale of hydroelectric power to India adds to their economy.

Chukka Power project

Bhutanese, though they have their own currency, accept Indian currency as equivalent.  Indians need entry permit to enter this nation which is given on entry.  Visa is not required for Indians.  Usually for tourists permission is given for one week only, to enter Phuntsholing, Thimphu, Punakha and Paro.  To visit other places special permission is required.

King and Queen of Bhutan

Buddha Dordenma, Thimphu.  This is huge and located on a hill top and seen from anywhere in Thimphu

Thimphu, capital of Bhutan

In April this year I had opportunity to visit this nation on photo tour organised by WeChitra.  The journey in this kingdom is scenic.  People are friendly.  They can speak Hindi and educated can speak English well.  Though it is a developing country it is clean and green.  Here are few pictures of Bhutan. 

Monastery in Chubachu, Thimphu

Memorial Chortens, Dochula pas

Confluence of Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers, Punakha 

Punakha Dzong

Punakha Dzong in the night

Suspension bridge, Punakha

Rinpung Dzong, Paro

Rinpung Dzong houses district's Monastery and admn. offices

Prayer flags seen on the way to Taktsang.  Prayer flags are seen at many places apart from monasteries even on the road side across a critical junctions and along the bridges on the rivers

Scenery on the way to Taktsang, Paro

Huge prayer wheel on the way to Taktsang, Tiger's nest Monastery, Paro

Small chortens placed in the crevices of mountains.  Gods are invoked and placed to bless people.  These are seen not only at monastaries but in the crevices of mountains along side the roads at critical junctions.  They are mostly light yellow or white or colorful as seen here.

Tiger's Nest Monastery or Taktsang Phalphug Monastery, Paro.
This monastery at the cliff of the mountain is iconic of Bhutan and its culture and tradition.

Small prayer wheels on the way to Taktsang, at the base.  Journey to Taktsang is 4 km trekking.  Depending on one's capability it may take 2-6 hrs.  The path is slippery while coming down and more so when it rains

Offerings to deities at a monastery in Chubachu, Thimphu

Series of prayer wheels seen at monasteries.  This is taken in Thimphu

Clouds seen on the way covering the trees in the forest

A village seen on the way

A man in traditional dress holding 'kamandal' with water.  That is sacred water, 'theerth'

A beautiful house on hill top

Monks at Punakha Dzong, Punakha

Man and woman dressed in national dress. Men wear 'gho' with a belt at waist -kera. Women's dress is called 'kira' clipped at the shoulder with identical brooches called 'koma' and tied at waist with kera.  Long sleeved blouse wonju worn underneath kira

School boys in traditional dress of men

School/college girls in traditional dress of women

Entry and exit gate for vehicles into Bhutan.  This is from Jaigoan, the last village in Kolkota, India

Entry and exit gate. View from Phuntsholing, Bhutan 

Bathukamma - 17

women playing at Padmakshi gutta

Today is 'Saddula Bathukamma',  a festival of flowers unique to Telangana state.  This festival is celebrated with pomp and gaiety.  The festival starts on 'pettaramasa', the new moon day, a day before the start of 'Aswayuja' month of Telugu calendar. Every day floral batukamma is made put in the centre and women of all ages gather and play going around  it in circle.  As they play they sing songs.  On the ninth day i.e., eighth day of Ashwayuja bathukammas are made big.  

Traditionally bathukamma is carried on head

Whenever bathukamma is made a big(talli - mother) one and small one - 'pilla (child) bathukamma' is made.  The big one is carried by mother or elder woman in the family and the small by the daughter or children.  

Mother and child carrying bathukamma

First bathukamma is played at home and then all the women and girl children in the locality will go to nearby pond, lake, tank or temple and play in groups singing songs. The play is generally by clapping hands and going round the bathukammas that are placed in the centre.  Sometimes 'kolatam' is played.  After playing bathukammas are left in water so that it floats on water. 

Bathukamma being put in the pond at Padmakshi gutta, Hanamkonda

When Telangana was merged with Andhra, in old Andhra Pradesh this festival was never recognised as important cultural event of Telangana people.  During Telangana agitation 'Bathukamma' was made symbolic of Telangana people and region and brought unity among people.  Credit should be given to Kalvakuntla Kavitha the founder and president of Telangana Jagruti for taking this festival to the international level.  

When bathukamma is too big and heavy it is brought on vehicle or men will carry it to spot where women play

Male member in the family or a worker will carry when bathukamma is heavy

Since the formation of Telangana, the government is taking special interest to promote this festival as traditional and cultural event. But the changes that are slowly creeping in are making it more artificial.  The introduction of DJ songs though sound like bathukamma songs, the content is changing to cinematic songs and also the traditional play is transforming into different steps as in Indian movie songs.  

Young and old enjoy the festival.  Members of three generations seen together

Today when I have gone to Padmakshi gutta to enjoy the festival listening to women singing songs, I was disappointed.  Records are put and women had to just listen and go round bathukammas. Some were trying to sing but could not continue as sound of records was very loud.  I heard many people having this complaint.  I hope next year we will have traditional songs and bathukamma play.  That will encourage women to learn traditional songs and sing.  This art of singing bathukamma songs should never be allowed to die in the name modernity and DJ bathukamma songs. 

As Padmakshi gutta will be flooded by women on Saddulu, men are not allowed near the play area.  They have to wait outside taking care of children.  Here a grand father seen taking care of his grand children.  Boy is seen carrying his mother's bag