Bathukamma 2026: Telangana's Festival of Flowers
Bathukamma is Telangana's most beloved floral festival — a nine-day celebration during which women create spectacular cone-shaped floral arrangements (called Bathukamma) from seasonal flowers and float them in ponds and lakes at sunset. The festival occurs during the Navratri period (Ashwin month), beginning on Mahalaya Amavasya and culminating on Saddula Bathukamma (Durgashtami, the eighth day of Navratri). In 2026, Bathukamma is expected in September/October.
Expected September/October 2026 (Ashwin Navratri) · Exact dates will be updated · Verified Regional DataBathukamma
✓ Verified Regional DataBathukamma 2026
Expected September/October 2026 (Ashwin Navratri)
Duration
9 days — Mahalaya Amavasya to Durgashtami (Saddula Bathukamma)
Key Flower
Tangedu (Cassia auriculata) — the golden Bathukamma flower
Region
Telangana — statewide (and Telugu communities globally)
About Bathukamma
Bathukamma (literally "Mother Goddess, come alive!") is a unique floral festival where women arrange seasonal wild flowers — especially the golden tangedu (Cassia auriculata), yellow gulmohar, white gunugu, marigold, and others — in a cone-shaped stack on a brass plate. These beautiful floral towers, some reaching a metre in height, are carried on the head to the nearest pond or lake at sunset, where the women circle them, sing Bathukamma folk songs, and finally float the flowers in the water as an offering to the goddess. The festival celebrates womanhood, nature, and community, and is deeply tied to the post-monsoon bloom of Telangana's wildflowers.
The Legend of Bathukamma
The most commonly told legend connects Bathukamma to Goddess Gauri (Parvati). According to one version, Goddess Gauri was sleeping and could not be woken. Her devotees prayed and sang to her, and the festive songs and flowers finally awakened her — hence the name "Bathukamma" (Come alive, Mother).
Another legend tells of a childless king and queen who performed austerities to Goddess Lakshmi. She was born to them as a daughter but was very sickly. The parents prayed with flowers and devotion, and the goddess recovered — hence celebrating "Bathukamma" (the child came alive).
The festival is also connected to the post-monsoon ecology of Telangana. The tangedu flower, which blooms abundantly after the rains, is considered sacred and is the symbol of Bathukamma. The practice of floating flowers in water after the festival ensures that the flowers decompose and return nutrients to the ecosystem — an ancient ecological practice embedded in tradition.
✦Bathukamma as Intangible Heritage
Bathukamma was declared the State Festival of Telangana in 2014, immediately after the state's formation. It is celebrated with government-sponsored events and has been recognised as one of India's most distinctive regional folk festivals.
How Bathukamma is Celebrated
Collecting Seasonal Flowers
Women collect seasonal wildflowers in the days before the festival — especially tangedu (golden yellow), gunugu (white), gulmohar, and marigold. The flowers must be fresh and seasonal.
Arranging the Bathukamma
Flowers are arranged in concentric layers on a large brass plate (tamba), built up into a cone shape. The final tier is topped with turmeric-coloured gouri (a mound of turmeric representing the goddess). The arrangements can be small for personal worship or very large for community celebration.
Evening Procession and Songs
At sunset, women carry their Bathukammas on their heads to the nearest water body. They form circles around the Bathukammas and sing traditional Bathukamma folk songs — describing nature, womanhood, and the goddess. The songs are call-and-response, sung by groups of women.
Immersion (Visarjan)
At the end of the singing, the Bathukammas are gently floated in the water. Watching hundreds of flower towers floating in a pond or lake at dusk is one of the most beautiful sights of Telangana.
Saddula Bathukamma (Main Day)
The ninth and final day (Durgashtami) is Saddula Bathukamma — the most elaborate day. Women prepare nine types of dishes (prasad naivedyam) and the Bathukammas are the largest and most decorative of the festival.
Bathukamma Naivedyam
Saddula Bathukamma Prasad (9 Types)
- •Sunnundalu (urad dal ladoo)
- •Bellam (jaggery)
- •Nuvvulu (sesame seeds)
- •Nuvvupindi undalu (sesame balls)
- •Atukulu (poha / flattened rice)
- •Puffed rice (murmure)
- •Groundnut chikki
- •Coconut
- •Dates (kharjura)
ℹ️ Dishes and offerings may vary by region and family tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Source Details
Data Source
Hindu lunisolar calendar — Ashwin Navratri · Verified regional sources
Editorial Review
6 June 2026
Verification Status
Verified Regional Data
Region / Location
Telangana (statewide)