“Throughout my childhood, the nine days of Bathukamma were a grand celebration for us at our hometown in Siddipet. I looked forward to this month every year.

Meeting my cousins and relatives, eating together, dancing and performing different traditions gave me immense joy. We used to compete for most with each other based on size, colours and attractiveness.

Every year, during the festive season, we had to wake up early, get dressed in the traditional clothes and perform the puja, before we could even sip water. We decorate the house and prepare Bathukamma. The immersion process was also great fun. We’d all gather together and go to the nearest water body. My grandmother along with other senior citizens would sing the traditional bathukamma song and it has always been considered very holy.

Although there are many mythological stories behind the Bathukamma, I have always learnt that these festivities are to ensure the well-being of our families, especially our husbands. It is an experience in itself.

The seasonal flowers like Tangidi, bathi, gunugu, chamanthi, etc are the main attraction. As time passed by, everyone moved to the city, but we continued to celebrate the festival in our houses keeping the tradition alive.

Today is the last day of the festival which is Saddula Bathukamma. All our neighbours and friends gather together along with their family members by taking the Bathukamma in procession and immerse it in the lake on this day. Every bit of these celebrations teaches us different values and will help in making us a better person in life. Well, I just hope the future generations continue these traditional practices in the future too.”

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