HYDERABAD: Women dressed in traditional sarees and exquisite jewellery thronged to the Hussain Sagar, where the Batukamma (cone-shaped floral decorations) were set afloat in the water. “We use different types of flowers to make this arrangement,” said Shobha Boora, a housewife adding, “This festival is celebrated only in the Telangana region.”
With songs like ‘Batukamma Batukamma Uyyalo’ playing in the background, women placed the Batukamma in the middle, while they gathered around, singing and dancing in unison. Goddess Gauri is worshipped as Batukamma in the festival that starts on Bhadrapada Amavasya (October 7) and ends on Durga Ashtami.
Womenfolk invoke Goddess Gouriamma during the festival to grant them prosperity and health. “It was celebrated in a traditional way before in the villages,” said Aruna Annamanuni, a home maker adding, “It seems like the festival was on the wane. But now it is again gaining prominence due to agitation for a separate state.”
“The Batukamma is prepared by bringing different flowers like marigold, chrysanthemum, Gunuga and Tangedu flowers to creating Gowriamma with turmeric,” said Takkalapalli Nirmala, another housewife. The songs sung during the ritual encapsulate trials and tribulations that one goes through life, she added.
The singing marathon will go on for four to five hours until the Boddamma (Batukamma) is immersed in the water,” said Punjuri Narsasaiah, general manager in a private chemical unit and an interested on-looker.
Some organisers have instituted prizes as part of festivities. “We are distributing sarees and idols to people who are coming up with good decorations,” said S Sudharsan, organiser, Ganesh Utsav Committee, Khairatabad.
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