Bathukamma: Difference between revisions
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Women celebrate this festival dressed-up in traditional [[sari|silk saree]]s, wear [[jewellery]] and girls wear a two-piece saree called as [[Langa oni]]. |
Women celebrate this festival dressed-up in traditional [[sari|silk saree]]s, wear [[jewellery]] and girls wear a two-piece saree called as [[Langa oni]]. |
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==Preparation== |
==Preparation== |
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On this day the men folk of the house go into the wild plains and gather the flowers like gunuka ,tangedi, |
On this day the men folk of the house go into the wild plains and gather the flowers like gunuka ,tangedi,lotus,alli,katla,teku(in some areas) flowers etc..,Which bloom in various vibrant colors all across the uncultivated and barren plains of the region. |
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==The Ritual== |
==The Ritual== |
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Revision as of 07:14, 29 June 2009
| Batukamma | |
|---|---|
| File:Batukamma.JPG | |
| Observed by | Hindu women of Telangana |
| Type | Spring festival of Goddess Gauri |
| Celebrations | 7 days |
| Begins | Aswiyuja |
| Ends | Durgashtami |
| Date | September/October |
| Related to | Dussehra |
Batukamma is a unique spring festival celebrated by the Hindu women of Telangana region in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. This festival usually is in the months of September/October called as Aswiyuja, concludes two days before Dussera called as Durgashtami.[1]
The name Batukamma is given to a flower stack, arranged with seasonal flowers, usually in seven concentric layers, of potter’s clay like a cone. It is also called as Bodemma.
Batuku in Telugu means live/life, and Amma means mother, hence Batukamma. Batukamma celebrates the glory of Gauri goddess (meaning fair or white) - the patron Goddess of womanhood.[2]
Women celebrate this festival dressed-up in traditional silk sarees, wear jewellery and girls wear a two-piece saree called as Langa oni.
Preparation
On this day the men folk of the house go into the wild plains and gather the flowers like gunuka ,tangedi,lotus,alli,katla,teku(in some areas) flowers etc..,Which bloom in various vibrant colors all across the uncultivated and barren plains of the region.
The Ritual
In the evenings, women gather different seasonal flowers, dip in colours, some scented and arrange them on a wide plate called as tambalamu, stack them up in a conical mound.
Later in the evening, they gather in large numbers with their batukammas in their locality, place them in the middle and dance around them, synchronizing steps and claps in unison, and singing soul stirring batukamma folk songs.
After singing and dancing for hours, Batukammalu are taken to a lake or a pond and spend some more time singing and dancing after which they are set afloat gently in a lake or a pond nearby.
This festival goes on for seven days and concludes on Durgastami. The main festival day is called Saddula Batukamma.[3] On this day they celebrate into wee hours before leaving their Batukamma in water. Lakes floating with batukammas in the evenings is a treat to the eyes.
Maleeda, a prasadam made of jaggery, is prepared on this day and distributed at the end of the event.