Question

The 'Bathukamma' festival is associated with which state?

• A. Telangana
• B. Sikkim
• C. Punjab
• D. Tripura

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Telangana

Bathukamma Festival

Origin and Significance:

• Bathukamma is a vibrant floral festival celebrated primarily in the Indian state of Telangana.
• The name 'Bathukamma' translates to 'Mother Goddess is Come' or 'Great Mother' in Telugu.
• It is celebrated by women, who dress beautifully and gather in large numbers to sing and dance, arranging flowers in concentric circles.
• The festival is dedicated to Goddess Maha Gauri, a form of Goddess Parvati.

Timing:

• Bathukamma usually falls in the autumn season, during the months of September and October, according to the Gregorian calendar.
• It is celebrated for nine days, starting from the day after Mahalaya Amavasya and culminating on the eve of Durgashtami.

Celebration Rituals:

• Women prepare 'Boddemma' and 'Bathukamma' by arranging various local flowers like 'Gummadi', 'Tangedu', 'Banti', and 'Nandi Vardhanam' in circular tiers.
• These floral arrangements are offered to the Goddess.
• 'Bathukamma' songs and dances are performed with great enthusiasm.
• On the final day, the flowers are immersed in water bodies like ponds and lakes, symbolizing the Goddess's departure.

Cultural Importance:

• Bathukamma is a celebration of womanhood, femininity, and the rich culture of Telangana.
• It is also associated with the harvest season and the beauty of nature.
• The festival was declared the 'State Festival' of Telangana in 2013.
• It promotes environmental consciousness through the use of natural flowers.

Connection to Other Festivals:

• The festival immediately precedes the major festival of Dasara (Dussehra).
• The nine days of Bathukamma are often referred to as 'Modat Batukamma' (first days), 'Peḍḍa Batukamma' (main day), and 'Saddula Batukamma' (last day).