Mt Eden War Memorial on Sunday, September 24, gleamed with men, women and children dressed in their best traditional outfits to celebrate Bathukamma Sambaraalu, the festival of flowers.
The event was organised by Telangana Jagruthi New Zealand with support from Telangana Association of New Zealand (TANZ), and New Zealand Telugu Association (NZTA) and Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS).
Bathukamma Sambaraalu is the occasion for women to pray and worship flowers that signify goddesses Durga and Laxmi.
“The women dress in their best traditional sarees and jewellery like that of goddesses Lakshmi and Durga,” President of Telangana Jagruthi New Zealand Shri Aruna Jyoti told The Indian Weekender.
The event commenced at 5:30 p.m. with the numbers on the dance floor increasing by every minute. The women and the young female children in saree and suits with flowers in their hair danced to the tunes of traditional and religious songs with their dandiya sticks.
The dancers formed three circles around the big floral rangoli at the centre and an idol of goddess Durga placed amongst the floral decoration.
“Bathukamma is a beautiful floral stack is arranged with different unique seasonal flowers most of them with medicinal values and is worshipped as Maha Gauri; we call it Mata or Durga and worshipping her gives its devotees a long life for themselves and their husband, prosperity in life and brings happiness,” Mrs Jyoti added.
The first Bathukamma celebration was done on Thursday, September 21 by the Telangana community that marks the advent of Navratri. The celebration on Sunday was a part of the nine days of Navaratri celebrations that culminates with Durgastami, September 28.
During this nine days, men and women fast, communities hold congressional prayers at houses, temples and community centres and Garba or 'kolatam' in Telugu is also hosted for the community members.
“It's a festive season for all the communities and we plan to host every event from now to Diwali for our community members here in New Zealand”, President of Telangana Association of New Zealand (TANZ) Kalyan Rao Kasuganti told The Indian Weekender.
The women danced around the Bathukamma, and some of the community members chanted and sang hymns and songs.
This festival is also dedicated to Goddess Parvati as it is believed that Goddess Sati returned as Goddess Parvati. The festival is celebrated with joy and happiness as there are dance performances, music, dramas etc.
The event concluded with traditional dinner for the community members present at the venue.
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