Happy Bathukamma 2025 🌸
Bathukamma begins today, a festival that brings us together to celebrate nature, womanhood and the traditions of Telangana. For the next nine days, we gather every evening to stack fresh seasonal flowers, sing old songs and honour Goddess Gauri, praying for health, prosperity and happiness.
Each day carries a special meaning:
- Engili Pula Bathukamma (ఎంగిలి పూల బతుకమ్మ) – We start with simple offerings of rice and flowers, praying for the well-being of our families. Even before the first day of Bathukamma, women go around the fields to pick fresh flowers. The flowers collected for the first day include marigold, gunugu, chamanti, and others. The flowers picked the day before are first soaked in water to rest them, keeping them fresh and bright. On the first day, the marigolds are arranged first, and then the other flowers are added based on their colours to make the Bathukamma. Because of this tradition, the Bathukamma made with these flowers on the first day is called Engili Pula Bathukamma.
- Atukula Bathukamma (అటుకుల బతుకమ్మ) – Flattened rice mixed with jaggery and coconut is offered for nourishment and peace at home.
- Muddapappu Bathukamma (ముద్దపప్పు బతుకమ్మ) – Cooked lentils symbolise abundance and a good harvest.
- Nanabiyyam Bathukamma (నానబియ్యం బతుకమ్మ) – Soaked rice represents growth, fertility and new beginnings.
- Atla Bathukamma (అట్ల బతుకమ్మ) – Pancakes made with devotion highlight strength and the sustenance needed in life.
- Aligina Bathukamma (అలిగిన బతుకమ్మ) – A pause in offerings as the goddess is believed to be upset, a day to reflect and mend relationships.
- Vepakayala Bathukamma (వేపకాయల బతుకమ్మ) – Neem flowers, known for their cleansing qualities, are added for protection and purification.
- Venna Mudda Bathukamma (వెన్న ముద్ద బతుకమ్మ) – Butter is offered, symbolising purity and care.
- Saddula Bathukamma (సద్దుల బతుకమ్మ) – The festival ends with grand rice offerings and the immersion of Bathukamma in water, bidding the goddess a loving farewell.
Year after year, Bathukamma reminds us to come together, celebrate nature and keep our Telangana traditions alive.