Hyderabad: Hyderabad is gearing up for the annual Saddula Bathukamma celebrations, with thousands of women expected to gather at Tank Bund for the festival’s grand finale on October 18.
Telangana Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju reviewed preparations with senior officials at the Secretariat on Saturday, October 3. He said elaborate arrangements are being made for Bathukamma celebrations across the State from October 10 to 18.
On the final day, women are expected to take part in a procession carrying Bathukammas from the Amaraveerula Smaraka Kendra opposite the Secretariat to Tank Bund. The procession is scheduled to begin at 4 pm and will feature hundreds of artists presenting traditional art forms.
Arrangements across Hyderabad
The Chief Secretary directed officials to set up Bathukamma-themed decorations at major intersections across Hyderabad and illuminate important junctions with electric lights.
He also instructed authorities to illuminate major government offices in the city during the festival period.
With large numbers of women expected to arrive from surrounding localities, colonies and settlements, officials were asked to ensure adequate facilities and prevent inconvenience to visitors.
HMDA and GHMC officials were directed to make special arrangements for Bathukamma immersions at the Bathukamma Ghat near Tank Bund Children’s Park and along Necklace Road.
The celebrations at Tank Bund are scheduled from 5 pm to 10 pm on October 18. Officials have been asked to arrange traffic diversions, barricades and basic amenities to manage the expected crowds.
Special arrangements will also be made at Ravindra Bharathi, where Bathukamma programmes will be held throughout the nine-day festival. The Chief Secretary directed officials to organise celebrations at tourism destinations and other prominent locations across Telangana.
A special Bathukamma logo is also being designed this year. According to officials, the logo will incorporate the Telangana Global Summit scheduled for December.
What is Bathukamma?
Bathukamma is a major floral festival of Telangana celebrated predominantly by women and girls. The name combines the Telugu words “Bathuku”, meaning life, and “Amma”, meaning mother.
During the festival, seasonal flowers are arranged in multiple layers to create a distinctive conical Bathukamma. A turmeric idol known as Gauramma is placed on top of the floral arrangement.
The nine-day festival involves different rituals, floral arrangements and traditional food offerings. Women gather in groups to sing and dance around Bathukammas before carrying them in processions for immersion.
Saddula Bathukamma, observed on the final day, is the largest celebration, with major gatherings and immersions taking place at water bodies including Hussain Sagar in Hyderabad.
