Hyderabad: Marking the beginning of Sharath Ruthu, the nine-day floral festival Bathukamma has begun in Telangana. This year, the festival is being celebrated from October 9 to 17.
Bathukamma is predominately celebrated by women belonging to the Hindu community of the state. Alike Durga Pooja, devotees perform rituals and worship Hindu deity Gauri Devi in the form of Bathukamma. For nine days, different names are given to the Hindu deity. The festival commences with Engili Pula Bathukamma and culminates with Saddula Bathukamma on the last day.
During the festival, flower sale in Telangana increases manifold as the Bathukamma idols are made up of flower stack and arranged in seven concentric layers in the shape of temple Gopuram. Several seasonal flowers having medicinal values are used to make the idols. On the last day of the festival, devotees immerse the idol in Bathukamma Ghat at Tank Bund lake.
Hyderabad civic body, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has made all the arrangement to ensure the peaceful celebration of the festival
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]