Suhasini puja, also referred as Suvasini Pooja, is a ritual observed during Sharad Navaratri. There is no specific day or date to perform the puja but in some days on Kalasha Sthapana and Durgashtami day, Suhasini Puja is observed. Though, the puja is a common ritual on every Purnima, but during Navaratri days it is auspicious. The pooja involves worshipping a married woman, Sumangali, considering her as a manifestation of Goddess Durga.

In some regions, Suvasini pooja is a compulsory ritual during Sharad Navratri. As Kumari Pooja, Suhasini Puja is also performed. A married woman is offered meals, fruits, clothes along with dakshina or santarpana and worshipped as the Goddess for the day.

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Bathukamma 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 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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Durgashtami Puja or Durga Ashtami pooja, also called as Mahashtami or Veerashtami, is the main festival observed during Durga Navratri Pooja. In 2010, the date of Durgashtami puja is October 15th. Durgashtami, also known as Maha Ashtami or Veerashtami, is celebrated on eighth day during Ashwin month (Ashwayuja Shukla Ashtami).

Rituals, Customs and Pujas to observe on Durgashtami:

Goddess Mahagauri is the Navadurga mata to worship on Durgashtami day. Maha Gauri Puja is also one of the main pujas to perform on Durgashtami. Durga is worshipped in the form of Maha Gauri on Durga Ashtami day. In some places, Goddess Bagala or Goddess Narayani is worshipped on Durgashtami.

In Andhra Pradesh, a special regional festival called Bathukamma Panduga (Bathukamma Festival) is observed. Bathukamma Visarjanam (nimajjanam) is performed on Durgashtami. In 2010, Bathukamma Festival is celebrated on October 15.

On Durgashtami, Ayudha Puja or Astra pooja is performed. Ayudha Puja ritual is celebrated on Vijaya Dashami or Dasara in some places of India. The mechanical operators, electrical operators and the articles which are used in professional life are worshipped during Ayudha Puja or Asthra pooja. In some places, Ayudha Puja is observed on Mahanavami or Durga Navami.

Durgashtami is the third day in five-day Durga Pooja celebrations in Bengal. On Mahashtami day, Kanya Puja or Kumari Pooja is observed in Bengal.

Bathukamma Panduga or Bathukamma festival is the largest regional festival in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. In 2010, the date of Bathukamma festival is October 15. Bathukamma panduga starts on Mahalaya Amavasya which falls on September October 7 in 2010 and ends on October 15, 2010 with Chaddula Bathukamma or Pedda Bathukamma or Chattala Bathukamma. Bathukamma Festival is observed on the Durgashtami or Maha Ashtami day. In Andhra Pradesh, Bathukamma Panduga is the most celebrated festival during Durga Saran Navaratri.

Bathukamma Panduga – 9 Festive days during Durga Navaratri in Telangana:

First day of Bathukamma festival is called as Engili Poola Bathukamma which falls on October 7 in 2010. The sixth day of Bathukamma is Arremu which falls on October 12 in 2010. During Bathukamma panduga, Gauri Puja is the main ritual to observe. Gauri Puja is performed in a very simple way by singing some special songs on Bathukamma (Goddess Gauri).

Goddess Gowri is worshipped in the form of Bathukamma during 9-day Bathukamma festival. On Chaddula Bathukamma festival (October 15 in 2010), Bathukamma nimajjanam or vallarimpu is performed.