Bathukamma festivities begin across Telangana

Bathukamma festivities began on a grand scale in Telangana on Saturday, with the historic Thousand Pillar Temple in Hanumakonda witnessing colourful celebrations marking the start of the nine-day floral festival that celebrates the State’s cultural identity and its close bond with mother nature.In Hyderabad, Bathukamma celebrations were held at Ravindra Bharathi and Shilparamam. The festival, being observed from October 10 to 18 this year, will culminate in Saddula Bathukamma, ahead of Dasara on October 20. Each of the nine days has a distinct name, ritual and food offering.Attired in their best, women and young girls gathered at the temple with Bathukammas, floral arrangements made in concentric tiers using seasonal flowers, and offered prayers to Goddess Gauramma. The temple premises resonated with folk songs and rhythmic clapping as women danced in circles around the floral arrangements.Meanwhile, the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC) made arrangements at the temple for the smooth conduct of the festivities. Bathukamma is an important occasion for women, as they visit their parental homes, celebrate the festival with their families and renew social and community bonds.Women prepare Bathukammas by arranging seasonal flowers such as tangedu, gunugu, marigold and chrysanthemum in layers on brass plates. The tiers, which taper towards the top, give the floral arrangements the appearance of a temple tower. The flowers reflect the community’s reverence for nature and its seasonal bounty.V. Aruna, a resident of Srinagar Colony in Hanumakonda, said that the festivities began with Engili Pula Bathukamma on Saturday and continued through Atukula, Muddapappu, Nanabiyyam, Atla, Aligina, Vepakayala, and Vennamuddala Bathukamma, culminating in Saddula Bathukamma. Special food offerings are prepared for each day as part of the traditional rituals.The celebrations will continue across Telangana in the coming days, with women gathering to sing traditional songs, dance, and offer floral offerings before the Saddula Bathukamma concludes. Published - October 10, 2026 06:57 pm IST