Hyderabad:Bathukamma festival, the state festival of Telangana, will commence in the region on Wednesday. A festival of flowers, Bathuakamma means 'Mother Goddess come alive' and the festival represents the cultural spirit of Telangana. Dedicated to Goddess Gowri, the festival mythologically meant to celebrate life and thank Goddess Parvati. A spring festival too, it is celebrated to thank the Goddess for the good harvest and beseech her blessings for the next year crop as well.
Every year, the festival is celebrated for nine days starting from Mahalaya Amavasya till Durgashtami. The festival also indicates the beginning of Sharath Ruthu. As per the Telugu calendar, Mahalaya Amavasya happens on Oct. 6.
A festival of womanhood, married daughters return to their homes for Bathukamma celebrations. Unmarried daughters staying away from home for study or jobs also return to their parents during this time.
The highlight of Bathukamma is the flower stacks prepared at home. Men go out early morning to collect flowers for their women. Women of the household join together to make the flower stack. The flower stacks are made like a temple tower and Goddess Gowri, a symbolic idol made using turmeric, is seated on top completes Bathukamma.