Saddula Bathukamma on October 13, Vidwat Sabha decides

Owing to confusion surrounding the dates of Saddula Bathukamma, a delegation of Telangana Vidwat Sabha, on Tuesday, met renowned priests and decided to celebrate the last day of the festival on October 13.

This year, confusion has been prevailing over the date of Saddula Bathukamma since Ashtami is falling on the 8th day of the nine-day floral festival.

What do experts say?

According to Kamalakara Siddhanti, Bathukamma is kept for 7 days in Vemulawada and 13 days in some parts of the Adilabad and Mahabubnagar districts. He says that according to most pundits, Saddula Bathukamma should be held on October 13.

According to the priest at Warangal Bhadrakali temple, the festival begins with Engilipula Bathukamma and is celebrated for 5, 7, or 9 days according to the local customs and traditions in the area. The academy has already decided to hold the Saddula Bathukamma on October 13.

However, Telangana Archakas’ Federation president Gangu Upendra Sharma says that Saddula Bathukamma will be celebrated on October 14.

Bathukamma is the floral festival for women celebrated in Telangana. It is symbolic of the beauty and eternal glory of Goddess Gauri – the ultimate patron of womanhood. It is celebrated for nine days in the month of Ashwin.

The festival starts on Bhadrapada Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya and ends with Saddula Bathukamma on the 9th day of ashtami.