Bathukamma Songs & Nine-Day Rituals: Naivedyam, Folk Songs & Aatapata Guide

Quick answer: Bathukamma is Telangana's nine-day floral festival of Goddess Gauri, celebrated by women with conical flower stacks, circular aatapata dances and folk songs. In 2026 it runs from Engili Pula Bathukamma (~Saturday 10 October) to Saddula Bathukamma (Sunday 18 October). Each of the nine days has its own name and naivedyam (food offering), and the evenings ring with songs ending in "Uyyalo" and "Chandamama."

Bathukamma is more than a festival — it is a celebration of womanhood, nature and Telangana's cultural identity. Beginning on Mahalaya Amavasya and ending on Saddula Bathukamma (coinciding with Durgashtami), it fills courtyards with marigold, gunugu and tangedu flowers, folk songs and the rhythmic clapping of the aatapata dance.

The nine days of Bathukamma & their naivedyam

The daily ritual flow

1. Women clean the house and courtyard.
2. Flowers are arranged in layers into the conical Bathukamma.
3. In the evening, women and girls dress in traditional sarees or langa-oni.
4. The Bathukamma is placed in the centre and everyone forms a circle around it.
5. They sing traditional folk songs while clapping and moving in a circular dance (aatapata).
6. Offerings (naivedyam) are made to Goddess Gauri.
7. On Saddula Bathukamma, the floral stacks are carried in procession and immersed in a lake, river or pond.

Before immersion, the turmeric lump (Gauramma) is lifted out; married women apply the turmeric paste to their mangalsutra as a prayer for their husband's long life.

Beloved traditional Bathukamma songs

Bathukamma songs are folk songs passed down orally, praising Goddess Gauri and describing nature, flowers, family and devotion. A few of the most-loved traditional refrains:

1. Bathukamma Bathukamma Uyyalo — the most iconic

Bathukamma Bathukamma Uyyalo Bangaru Bathukamma Uyyalo

2. Okkesi Puvvesi Chandamama

Okkesi puvvesi Chandamama Okka jaamu aaye Chandamama

3. Chittu Chittula Bomma

Chittu chittula bomma Shivuni muddula gumma

4. Gauramma Gauramma Uyyalo

Gauramma Gauramma Uyyalo Muthyala Gauramma Uyyalo

Women clap in rhythm, move clockwise and counter-clockwise around the Bathukamma, and close each song with the refrain "Uyyalo" or "Chandamama."

Popular modern versions: Telangana artists have created many folk-fusion favourites in recent years — including "Kurise Vaanalatho" and "Pachhi Paala Vennela" by singer Mangli — which now play alongside the traditional songs at community gatherings. (These are copyrighted recordings; look them up on official music channels.)

The meaning behind the rituals

• Flower arrangement — a symbol of Goddess Gauri and the beauty of nature.
• Songs and dance — an expression of devotion, sisterhood and joy.
• Daily offerings — simple, seasonal and often prepared by young girls.
• Immersion (visarjan) — the goddess returning to her abode and the cycle of life; the natural materials also nourish the water body.

Frequently asked questions

When is Bathukamma 2026?

Bathukamma 2026 runs from Engili Pula Bathukamma around Saturday 10 October to Saddula Bathukamma on Sunday 18 October. Dates follow the Telangana calendar, so confirm with a local panchang.

What is the most famous Bathukamma song?

"Bathukamma Bathukamma Uyyalo, Bangaru Bathukamma Uyyalo" is the most iconic — sung as women circle the flower stack.

Which naivedyam is offered on the final day?

On Saddula Bathukamma (day 9), five rice dishes are offered: curd rice, tamarind rice, lemon rice, coconut rice and sesame rice.

Celebrate Bathukamma near you

• Bathukamma 2026 — the Telugu flower festival
• Dussehra & Bathukamma 2026 in the USA
• Bathukamma & Dasara 2026 in Australia
• Bathukamma 2026 in the UK

Bathukamma… Bathukamma… Bangaru Bathukamma!