Batukamma Legend – Story of Bathukamma Festival

Bathukamma aataBatukamma festival is the largest festival of Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh. It was started centuries ago and still celebrated as grand cultural event in this place. The legend of Batukamma Panduga is mentioned in one of the historical texts scripted in Telugu. Centuries ago, King Dharmangada of Chola Dynasty used to rule South India. He was childless for many years after marriage. After performing many pujas and rituals, his wife gave birth to Goddess Lakshmi.

Baby Lakshmi survived many accidents. So, her parents named her Batukamma (Batuku = life, Amma= suffix to female names and mother). Since then, Batukamma festival is celebrated by young girls in Telangana region. The main purpose of this festival is to worship the Goddess in the belief that the young girls would get husbands as per their wish. It is celebrated for nine days beginning from the Padyami (first day) of the month Ashvayuja (September-October).

There is another legend or katha about Bathukamma mentioned in Telugu books. Daksha performed a Yagna and invited everyone but his youngest daughter, Gauri, who married to Lord Shiva against his wish. In spite of Shiva’s will, Gauri went to the Yagna and insulted along with Lord Shiva. She was unable to tolerate the insult and sacrificed her life by setting herself ablaze. Wishing to bring her back, women present her flowers and make turmeric idol of the Goddess and sing and dance around the idol of Bathukamma.

Image Source: Pranahita

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Batukamma Panduga – Bathukamma Festival in Andhra Pradesh

bathukamma festivalBathukamma Panduga or Bathukamma festival is the largest regional festival celebrated Andhra Pradesh especially in Telangana region. In Telugu, ‘Bathukamma’ means ‘come alive Mother Goddess’. Bathukamma represents the Mother Goddess Gauri (Gauramma). On Bathukamma festival, Goddess Gauri is worshipped in the form of Bathukamma. Boddemma Panduga is celebrated before the Bathukamma festival. Boddemma and Bathukamma festivals are observed by women only.

When Bathukamma starts and when it ends?

Bathukamma festival starts on Bhadrapada Amavasya, also known as Mahalaya Amavasya or Pithru Amavasya, and ends on Ashwayuja Ashtami, popularly known as Durgashtami. Bathukamma panduga is celebrated for nine days which culminates on Pedda Bathukamma panduga or Chaddula Bathukamma festival.

Boddemma and Bathukamma – Ruthu Lakshmi Festivals

Boddemma Panduga marks the ending of Varsha ruthu whereas Bathukamma festival indicates the beginning of Sharath ruthu. Hence, these both festivals are celebrated as ‘Ruthu Lakshmi Samaradhana’.

Bathukamma nimajjanamBathukamma festival – 9 days of regional celebrations:

First day of Bathukamma festival is called as ‘Engili Poolu’, Sixth day of Bathukamma festival is ‘Arremu’ and the final day or the main festival of Bathukamma, which is celebrated on Durgashtami, referred as Chaddula Bathukamma or Chattala Bathukamma. On the final day of Bathukamma, ‘Bathukamma vallarimpu’ or Bathukamma nimajjanam (Bathukamma visarjanam) is celebrated with utmost devotion and enthusiasm in Telangana cities, towns and villages. Bathukamma immersed in water on Chaddula Bathukamma which is celebrated on Durgashtami.

Bathukamma panduga is the second largest festival during Durga Navaratri in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh after Dasara or Vijaya Dashami.

 

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