Festival Of Nature!! Festival Of Women!
Bathukamma is a colorful festival of flowers celebrated mainly in the regions of Telangana for 9 days before Dussera. It commences when the rainy season is about to rest and winter begins.
During this time, rivers will be overflowing with water and many varieties
of flowers are available. Bathukamma is a
pyramidal mound of flowers stacked in about 7 layers of circles. Flowers
ranging from Wild to garden flowers are used in creation of Bathukamma
signifying every part of nature is valuable.
Each day before the noon, Bathukamma is made by the ladies
of the house. In the evening, they gather around the Bathukamma and move in circular motion
around it by clapping and singing songs. And later they take Bathukammas
to nearby water body and immerse it.
All these flowers have great medicinal values. The pollen grains of the
flowers are natural water purifiers. Hence, the Bathukammas gliding on water
cleanses the water from impurities. Bathukamma reminds us our responsibility to
save rivers.
There are many ancient myths behind this
festival, but the popular ones are:
Once upon a time, King Dharmangada of
Chola Dynasty ruled South India. After many prayers and rituals, his wife gave
birth to a baby girl blessed by goddess Lakshmi. That baby survived many
accidents. So, the parents named her Bathukamma (Bathuku = Life, Amma =
Mother). She is bestowed with a good husband and lived long. Since then
Bathukamma festival is celebrated by young girls in Telangana for healthy and
happy lives, well being of their family and for getting a worthy husband.
King Daksha performed a yagna for which he
called everyone except God Siva and his wife Sati. He insults Siva in front of
the guests. Enraged by the humiliation, Sati offers herself to the fire of the
yagna. In hope of bringing back Sati to life, People present there moved around
the fire saying 'Bathukamma' - 'Come back to life mother' and thus she returns
as Parvati.
Hence a turmeric mound representing Gauri
is placed on the top of Bathukamma made with flowers.
Bathukamma is celebration of the bond
between people and nature. Thanking nature for sharing its treasure with us is
our Bathukamma. It is festival of prayers, joy and earth :)
Two beautiful videos on Bathukamma....Do watch them :)
Popular Bathukamma Songs
Popular Bathukamma Songs
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