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.