Batukamma 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

Related Posts:

Bathukamma 2009 – Batukamma Panduga in 2009

Durga Navaratri 2009

Boddemma Panduga

Dasara 2009

Shami Puja on Dasara

Dasara Navarathri 2009 in Kanakadurga temple, Vijayawada

Boddemma is a traditional festival of Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh. This festival is dedicated to Goddess Gauramma (Gauri). In 2009, Boddemma begins on September 9 and ends on September 18. It is celebrated mainly by unmarried girls from the day of Bhadrapada bahula Panchami to Mahalaya Amavasya (Pethramasa). In some districts of Telangana, it is started from Bhadrapada bahula Dashami and concluded on Amavasya. Boddemma is celebrated for nine consecutive days preceding the Batukamma festival and ends on Peddala Amaasa.

The idol of Boddemma is prepared with clay in seven layers in the shape of Gopuram (dome). It is decorated with flowers, turmeric and vermillion powder. Boddemma is placed in front of the houses and worshipped. Young girls gather in the evening and dance, sing and worship the Goddess for early marriage and for good husband.

Related Posts:

Pethara Amavasya 2009

Batukamma 2009 – Bathukamma Festival

Durga Navaratras 2009 in Kanakadurga Temple, Vijayawada

Shami Puja on Vijayadashami

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.

Related Posts:

Batukamma 2009 – Bathukamma festival in 2009

Durga Puja – Durga Navaratri Pooja

Durgashtami Puja – Mahashtami or Virashtami

Legend of Navratri – Origin of Durga Sharad Navaratri

9 Colours of Navratri 2009 – Nine colours and shades of dresses to wear during Durga Navratri 

Lalita Panchami – Lalitha Tripura Sundari Pooja during Durga Navaratri

In Astalaxmi temple at Kothapet of Hyderabad, Durga Navratri celerbations are celebrated as a grand event. In 2009, Durga Navratri puja begins on September 19, Saturday and ends on September 28, Monday. Devotees perform the fest as the Sravana Utsavs. They observe the vratas to please Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Vidya Lakshmi (Maa Saraswati) and Goddess Vijaya Lakshmi. Maa Saraswati Puja is the most celebrated observance of Navratri.

The Telugu culture is shown in every moment of Durga Navarathri puja in Astalxmi temple. The pleasant environment combines your mind, body, heart and soul to worship the Goddess with great devotion.

From Dilsukhnagar – Kothapet – Go on Vijayawada Highway- until you see an arch of Vasavi Colony (Temple Arch), go inside the arch, and you can find the temple.

From Secunderabad – Tarnaka – Uppal – Nagole – After Nagole Cross (X) Roads – you can find a Colony called AlkaPuri Colony at the right side (just after SnehaPuri Colony towards LB Nagar) take right from there, you can ask for the temple there.

Durga Navratri puja in Bhadrakali Temple, Hanamkonda, is a jubliant festival celebrated for nine festive days. In 2009, Durga Navaratri puja is observed from September 19, Saturday to September 28, Monday. 

Badrakali – the Goddess of prosperity is situated in Hanamkonda, Warangal district of Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh. Badrakali is the terrible form of Goddess Durga Devi. According to Asuras (Demons), Maa Badrakali is the violent form of Goddess of prosperity – Durga / Shambhavi/ Amba / Jagadamba.

During the Telugu month of ‘Sravana’, in Badrakali Temple, ‘Shakambari Devi Utsavaalu’ are held. During this Utsav, Badrakali Ammavaru is shown as Shakambari Devi. Shakambari Devi – Goddess Badrakali is dressed up with vegetables (Shaka = Vegetables , Ambari = alankar).