Secretariat drowns in Bathukamma spirit

Bhongir, TELANGANA, 24/09/2014: Devotees carrying the ‘ Bathukamma at ’ Bhongir in Nalgonda district on Wednesday,The ‘Bathukamma’ is a unique aspect of the tradition of celebrating the Navarathri Festival in Telangana and is decorated differently for each of the nine days, with different kind of flowers. Telangana Government has declared it as the State festival, that will unfold in various parts of the State from Wednesday.---PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

The women employees of Telangana Secretariat and other government offices participated in Bathukamma at their respective work places on Wednesday. As the State government had confined the working hours of women staff to forenoon session till Dasara, they symbolically performed the first day rituals in the offices in the afternoon.

Dressed in their colourful best, the women formed circles and went round the floral arrangements to the background music and songs that were blared by huge sound boxes.

A festive atmosphere prevailed at the Secretariat as a large crowd gathered at the parking lot in front of the ‘D’ block that housed most of the Telangana offices. The work stations in the block wore a deserted look as not only women, but also male employees left early. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao also left Secretariat before noise filled the air.

The celebration was organised by women employees association under the presidentship of Jupaka Subhadra. The Telangana Gazetted and Non-Gazetted Officers Union presidents V. Srinivas Goud and G. Deviprasad Rao respectively were present.

Traditional fervour Nalgonda Staff Reporter adds: Traditional fervour and gaiety marked the celebration of Bathukamma in Bhongir on Wednesday.

Nizamabad MP and Telangana Jagruthi founder Kalvakuntla Kavitha launched the nine-day ‘Bangaru Bathukamma’ celebration. After landing in the temple town, she straight away drove to local MLA Pyla Shekar Reddy's father-in-law’s house where she participated in preparation of ‘Bathukamma’ using various flowers along with local women. Later, the women have gathered at Hanumavada with their Bathukammas.

Meanwhile, a large number of women gathered at grounds of Government Junior College, Bhongir to celebrate Bathukamma. Women and teenage girls wore traditional attire reflecting Telangana culture and carried Bathukammas in their hands.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Kavitha said it was a matter of pride to celebrate the first Bathukamma after formation of Telangana State. Education Minister Jagadishwar Reddy, MP Boora Narasaiah Goud, TRS MLAs Gongidi Sunitha, Pyla Shekar Reddy, Kusukuntla Prabhakar Reddy, District Collector T. Chiranjveeulu, Joint Collector Preethi Meena and others were present.