In e na ional Jou nal o Social Science and Human Resea ch
ISSN (p in ): 2644-0679, ISSN (online): 2644-0695
Volume 08 Issue 10 Oc obe 2025
DOI: 10.47191/ijssh / 8-i10-18, Impac ac o - 8.007
Page No: 7696 - 7702
IJSSHR, Volume 08 Issue 10 Oc obe 2025 www.ijssh .in Page 7696
Ba hukamma: A Re iew on The Cul u al Signi icance, Medicinal Values o
Flowe s, And T adi ional Heal h Wisdom o The Telugu People
Renuka. G1, Ani ha De i. U2, Vijaya Lakshmi. V3, Sampa hkuma Reddy. M.4, Ugandha .T*5
1Associa e P o o Mic obiology, Pingle Go . College o Women (A) Hanumakonda
2Associa e P o esso Bo any, IPDGCW (A) Nampally, Hyde abad,
3P incipal Go . Deg ee College, Gambhi aope ,
4Associa e P o esso o Telugu Go . Deg ee College (A), Siddipe
5Associa e P o o Bo any, Kaka iya Go . College (A) Hanumakonda
ABSTRACT: Ba hukamma: A His o ical and Cul u al Fes i al o Flowe s and Heal h T adi ions in Telangana is a ib an nine-day
lo al es i al ha in e wines spi i uali y, ecological wisdom, cul u al he i age, and adi ional medicine. Celeb a ed p ima ily by
women du ing he Na a i season, i hono s Goddess Gau i (Ba hukamma), in oking blessings o heal h, p ospe i y, and eminine
s eng h. Cen al o he celeb a ion is he c ea ion o conical lo al a angemen s, Ba hukammas, which inco po a e a wide a ie y
o seasonal lowe s chosen o bo h beau y and medicinal alue.
Commonly used lowe s include Tangedu poolu (Cassia au icula a/Senna), placed a he base and alued o i s ole in con olling
diabe es; Gunugu poolu (Celosia), wi h i s bold lame- ed hues, used o ea ing blood p essu e and s omach ailmen s; and Ma igold
(Tage es), employed as a na u al pes icide and emedy o skin diseases. Ch ysan hemum is a o ed o i s ib an colou s, while
he Indian lo us symbolises pu i y and aids in educing body hea and cons ipa ion. Vel e lowe /Globe ama an h (Poka ban i),
linked wi h Goddess Si a, is used o eye heal h. O he local lo a, such as Lu a lowe s, Cucu bi a, Memecylon edule, T idax
p ocumbens, Cucumis sa i us, and T achyspe mum ammi en ich he a angemen s, ca ying di e se he apeu ic bene i s oo ed in
Ayu eda.
Beyond hei medicinal and ecological alue, hese lowe s embody cul u al iden i y and social uni y. Women ga he daily o
design Ba hukammas, sing adi ional songs, and dance in ci cles, blending ec ea ion wi h de o ion. The es i al culmina es in
“Saddula Ba hukamma,” whe e lo al s acks a e imme sed in wa e bodies, symbolising g a i ude o na u e. Thus, Ba hukamma
ep esen s a unique syn hesis o wo ship, en i onmen al s ewa dship, heal h adi ions, and communi y celeb a ion in Telangana.
KEYWORDS: Ba hukamma; Telangana; Medicinal lowe s; Cul u al he i age; Ayu eda; En i onmen al sus ainabili y; Goddess
Gau i; Flo al adi ions
1. His o ical Roo s: The O igin and E olu ion o he Ba hukamma Fes i al in Telangana
Ba hukamma, o icially ecognised as he s a e es i al o Telangana, is a ib an celeb a ion ha highligh s he de o ion, cul u e,
and uni y o women ac oss he egion. The es i al is obse ed du ing Bhad apada Ama asya (Mahalaya Ama asya) acco ding o
he Telugu Hindu calenda , usually in Sep embe –Oc obe , coinciding wi h Du ga Na a i. Ba hukamma spans nine days,
beginning on Mahalaya Ama asya and culmina ing on Saddula Ba hukamma (also known as Pedda Ba hukamma) on Ashwayuja
Ash ami, wo days be o e Dusseh a. I is ollowed by Boddemma, a se en-day es i al ma king he end o he monsoon season,
while Ba hukamma signals he a i al o Sa ad/Sha a h Ru u (au umn season).
1.1 His o ical Backg ound
The e m “Ba hukamma” means “Mo he Goddess comes ali e,” e lec ing he es i al’s dedica ion o Goddess Pa a i (Maha
Gau i), he symbol o li e, e ili y, and eminine ene gy. The es i al has oo s in se e al legends:
1. Goddess Sa i and Pa a i: Ba hukamma o igina ed o celeb a e he e u n o Goddess Sa i as Pa a i, in oking blessings o
heal h, p ospe i y, and amily wel a e.
2. Vic o y o e E il: Ano he legend na a es Goddess Gau i’s iumph o e he demon Mahishasu a, a e which de o ees o e ed
lowe s o awaken he ollowing he es .
3. Royal Folk Tales: His o ical ex s ecoun ha King Dha mangada o he Chola dynas y, a e being childless, celeb a ed di ine
i uals leading o he bi h o a daugh e named Ba hukamma, inspi ing he es i al’s obse ance by young gi ls seeking blessings
o a p ospe ous li e.
Ba hukamma: A Re iew on The Cul u al Signi icance, Medicinal Values o Flowe s, And T adi ional Heal h Wisdom
o The Telugu People
IJSSHR, Volume 08 Issue 10 Oc obe 2025 www.ijssh .in Page 7697
4. Daksha Yagna Legend: Women hono Goddess Gau i, who sac i iced he sel a e being insul ed a Daksha Yagna, by o e ing
lowe s and u me ic idols, singing, and pe o ming i ual dances o e i e he . Ba hukamma ep esen s Telangana’s cul u al
iden i y, blending de o ion, communi y bonding, and ecological awa eness. The es i al emphasizes adi ional medicinal
alues, as mos lowe s used ha e heal h bene i s ecognized in Ayu eda.
1.2 Flo al P epa a ion and Folk A
Ba hukamma a angemen s a e s acked in se en concen ic laye s, esembling a emple gopu am, o en opped wi h a lo us o
pumpkin lowe and Gou amma ( u me ic idol o Goddess Gau i). ( Fig-1)Flowe s and lea es collec ed om wild plains include:
Fig -1 T adi ional Ba hukamma Deco a ion wi h Seasonal Flowe s”
Tangedu (Cassia/Senna), Gunugu (Celosia), Ma igold (Tage es), Ch ysan hemum, Indian Lo us, Poka Ban i (Globe Ama an h),
Lu a and Cucu bi a lowe s and lea es, Cucumis Sa i us lea es and lowe s, Memecylon edule, T idax p ocumbens,
T achyspe mum ammi
Women p epa e Ba hukamma daily, s acking lowe s on Thambalam (b oad lea es) and deco a ing hem wi h ib an pe als and
s ems. The a angemen s a e some imes loa ed in wa e and p ese ed un il imme sion ( Fig-2).
Fig. 2 Men Pe o ming Ba hukamma Visa jan in Wa e Bodies”
1.3 Ri uals and Celeb a ions
Each e ening, women and gi ls ga he o sing olk songs, clap, and dance in ci cles a ound Ba hukamma. The songs, in oking
blessings om a ious goddesses, o en end wi h ibu es o Uyyaala, Chandamama, o Gou amma.
O Lo d Rama, O auspicious Rama, O Ha i, O Lo d, O B ahma De , May he Lo d p o ec hose who seek e uge, May he de o ees
be sa e om calami ies, may he e be no dea h o he ai h ul.
O Black Mo he Goddess, O Black Amma, you de o ees’ hea s a e wi h you, O Nalla Amma ( he Black Goddess), he sac ed
sh ines, O Lo d Na asimha, he emples shine. O Whi e Mo he Goddess, O Whi e Amma, you blessings ill hea s wi h pu i y, O
Pa a ha Amma (Moun ain Goddess), he emples shine.
Ba hukamma: A Re iew on The Cul u al Signi icance, Medicinal Values o Flowe s, And T adi ional Heal h Wisdom
o The Telugu People
IJSSHR, Volume 08 Issue 10 Oc obe 2025 www.ijssh .in Page 7698
O Bhupa i Raju ( he King), hose wi hou o sp ing, May child en be bo n o all, E en i one has i e wi es, May he King be blessed
wi h hei s, May peace, p ospe i y, and sus enance ill he kingdom.
May he elephan s and ho ses be s ong, May he soldie s and palaces be sa e, May i e s, g ana ies, and ields lou ish, May he
people p ospe and ne e su e amine, May all obs acles be emo ed.
O King, may you a el sa ely, May all b idges and i e s be c ossed wi h ease, May c ops, g ains, and nou ishmen be abundan ,
May i uals and es i als be celeb a ed joy ully.
O La chi, O oyal maidse an , Follow he King’s ins uc ions, Deli e he o e ings, p epa e he ood, Se e he King and he Queen
espec ully, Ensu e all cus oms and ce emonies a e p ope ly obse ed.
May he wel e mon hs b ing p ospe i y, may child en g ow heal hy, may he King’s lineage be long, May gold, jewels, and
p ospe i y ain like pea ls, may he kingdom be blessed wi h joy, weal h, and abundance.
Du ing he Ba hukamma Fes i al in Telangana, women ga he in he e ening wi h hei Ba hukamma lowe s acks. They sing
adi ional olk songs while dancing in a ci cle, clapping hei hands hy hmically. These songs in oke blessings om he goddess,
wishing o heal h, p ospe i y, and happiness o hei amilies.
A e he nine-day celeb a ion, on he inal day called Saddula Ba hukamma, he women ca y he Ba hukammas in a p ocession
and imme se hem in wa e bodies, symbolizing he goddess e u ning o he di ine abode. The olk songs con inue du ing his
p ocession, c ea ing a ib an , de o ional, and isually cap i a ing a mosphe e.
Each day o he es i al has a special nai edyam (o e ing):
1. Engili Pula Ba hukamma: Sesame seeds and coa sely g ound ice.
2. A kula Ba hukamma: Fla ened ice, boiled len ils, and jagge y.
3. Muddapappu Ba hukamma: So ened len ils wi h milk and jagge y.
4. Nanabiyyam Ba hukamma: We ice, milk, and jagge y.
5. A la Ba hukamma: Whea -based pancakes o dosa.
6. Aligina Ba hukamma: No ood o e ing.
7. Vepakayala Ba hukamma: Deep- ied ice lou shaped like neem ui s.
8. Vennamuddala Ba hukamma: Sesame, bu e /ghee, and jagge y.
9. Saddula Ba hukamma: Fi e a ie ies o ice dishes: cu d ice, ama ind ice, lemon ice, coconu ice, and sesame ice.
The es i al culmina es in Saddula Ba hukamma, whe e lo al a angemen s a e imme sed in wa e bodies amid music, dance, and
communi y celeb a ions. Gu amma, he symbolic idol o Goddess Gau i, is emo ed be o e imme sion, and ma ied women apply
i o hei Mangala Su a, signi ying p o ec ion o hei husbands and household wel a e.
Ba hukamma Fes i al: Flo al and Medicinal Signi icance
Ba hukamma, he ib an lo al es i al o Telangana, is celeb a ed o nine days du ing he Na a a i season. Women p epa e unique
lo al a angemen s using seasonal lowe s and o e Nai edyam (sac ed ood o e ings) each day, culmina ing in Saddula
Ba hukamma wi h g and celeb a ions, music, and imme sion o he lowe s acks in wa e bodies. The es i al is no only a symbol
o de o ion o Goddess Gau i bu also e lec s deep ecological, cul u al, and medicinal wisdom.
1.4 Common Flowe s Used in Ba hukamma
1. Tangedu Poolu (Cassia au icula a / Senna au icula a) – B igh yellow lowe s placed a he base o Ba hukamma. They a e
adi ionally used in Ayu eda o skin diso de s, diabe es, and u ina y in ec ions.
2. Gunugu Poolu (Celosia a gen ea) – Flame- ed o pink in lo escences. Medicinally alued as a coolan , eye onic, and in ea ing
ulce s.
3. Ban hi / Ma igold (Tage es e ec a) – Yellow/o ange lowe s symbolize auspiciousness. They ha e an imic obial, an i ungal,
and wound-healing p ope ies.
4. Chaman hi / Ch ysan hemum (Ch ysan hemum indicum) – Used o deco a ion; in Ayu eda, i is known o an i-
in lamma o y, analgesic, and an ioxidan p ope ies.
5. Kalu a / Indian Lo us (Nelumbo nuci e a) – Sac ed lowe o e ed o dei ies, wi h seeds, oo s, and lowe s used in Ayu eda
o dia hea, bleeding diso de s, and ep oduc i e heal h.
6. Pu ulu / Vel e Flowe / Globe Ama an h (Gomph ena globosa) – Symbolic o Goddess Si a; used in olk medicine o
cough, as hma, and ep oduc i e heal h.
7. Bee akaya Poolu / Lu a Flowe s (Lu a cylind ica) – Used in he a angemen ; hei ui s and lowe s ac as na u al blood
pu i ie s and help in skin ca e.
8. Dosakaya / Cucumis Flowe s & Lea es (Cucumis sa i us) – Lea es and lowe s a e used; cucumbe is cooling, hyd a ing, and
bene icial o skin and diges ion.
9. Dekka Poolu / Memecylon Flowe s (Memecylon edule) – Small wild blue lowe s, signi ican in Ba hukamma. T adi ionally
used in ea ing wounds and skin ailmen s.
Ba hukamma: A Re iew on The Cul u al Signi icance, Medicinal Values o Flowe s, And T adi ional Heal h Wisdom
o The Telugu People
IJSSHR, Volume 08 Issue 10 Oc obe 2025 www.ijssh .in Page 7699
10. T idax (T idax p ocumbens) – A common wild lowe ; widely known o wound-healing, an i-in lamma o y, and an imic obial
p ope ies.
11. Ajwain Plan Flowe s (T achyspe mum ammi) – Collec ed o he es i al; seeds and lowe s a e ca mina i e, an imic obial,
and use ul in diges i e diso de s.
1.4 Medicinal & Cul u al Impo ance
• Medicinal Value: Many o hese lowe s ha e adi ional uses in Ayu eda and olk medicine, anging om wound healing, skin
ca e, and diges i e heal h o ea men o in ec ions and ep oduc i e well-being. Thei seasonal blooming ensu es he a ailabili y
o esh medicinal esou ces.
Table 1: Flowe s Used in Ba hukamma wi h Cul u al and Medicinal Impo ance
Common Name
Bo anical Name
Cul u al Role in
Ba hukamma
Medicinal Impo ance
Tangedu Poolu
(Senna/Tanne ’s
Cassia)
Senna au icula a
(Cassia au icula a)
Used a he base o
Ba hukamma; symbolizes
s eng h and s abili y.
T ea s diabe es, u ina y p oblems,
skin diseases, and imp o es
diges ion.
Gunugu Poolu
(Cock’s Comb)
Celosia a gen ea
Adds ib an ed/pink
shades; placed in middle
laye s o Ba hukamma.
Used as a cooling agen , o eye
ailmen s, ulce s, and bleeding
diso de s.
Ban hi / Ma igold
Tage es e ec a
B igh yellow/o ange
lowe s; common in i uals
and deco a ions.
Possesses an imic obial,
an i ungal, an i-in lamma o y,
and wound-healing p ope ies.
Chaman hi /
Ch ysan hemum
Ch ysan hemum
indicum
Deco a i e laye s; o e ed o
Goddess o auspiciousness.
An i-in lamma o y, an ioxidan ,
elie es headaches, and suppo s
skin heal h.
Kalu a / Indian
Lo us
Nelumbo nuci e a
Sac ed o e ing o Goddess;
symbolizes pu i y and
p ospe i y.
Used o dia hea, bleeding
diso de s, ep oduc i e heal h,
and as a na u al coolan .
Poka Ban i / Globe
ama an h
Gomph ena globosa
Associa ed wi h Goddess
Si a; symbolizes endu ance
and de o ion.
Used in cough, as hma,
ep oduc i e diso de s, and as a
gene al onic.
Bee akaya Poolu /
Lu a Flowe s
Lu a cylind ica
Seasonal lowe used in
deco a ion; connec s
a ming o es i i ies.
Blood pu i ie , skin cleanse ,
helps in jaundice, and
de oxi ica ion.
Dosakaya Poolu /
Cucumbe Flowe s
Cucumis sa i us
Lea es/ lowe s used;
highligh s ag a ian
connec ion o Ba hukamma.
Cooling e ec , hyd a es he body,
imp o es diges ion, and skin
heal h.
Dekka Poolu / Blue
Flowe
Memecylon edule
Wild lowe used o
Ba hukamma, especially in
u al Telangana.
Used o wounds, ulce s, skin
diseases, and as an an imic obial
he b.
T idax / Coa Bu ons
T idax p ocumbens
Ga he ed om he wild;
symbolizes simplici y and
na u al abundance.
Wound healing, an i-
in lamma o y, an imic obial, and
an i-oxida i e p ope ies.
Vamu Poolu / Ajwain
Flowe s
T achyspe mum
ammi
Seasonal addi ion; connec s
medicinal plan s wi h di ine
o e ing.
Relie es indiges ion, colds,
espi a o y diso de s,
an imic obial, and ca mina i e.
• Cul u al Signi icance: Ba hukamma symbolises he ha monious bond be ween na u e, women, and di ini y. Women p ay o
p ospe i y, amily wel a e, and ma i al bliss, while also ein o cing ecological sus ainabili y by using only seasonal, locally
a ailable lowe s.
• Spi i ual Symbolism: Gu amma (clay idol o Goddess Gau i) is wo shipped, and be o e imme sion, he u me ic is applied by
ma ied women o hei Mangala Su a, symbolising p o ec ion o he household and longe i y o husbands.
Ba hukamma: A Re iew on The Cul u al Signi icance, Medicinal Values o Flowe s, And T adi ional Heal h Wisdom
o The Telugu People
IJSSHR, Volume 08 Issue 10 Oc obe 2025 www.ijssh .in Page 7700
Thus, Ba hukamma is a unique blend o de o ion, ecology, and e hnomedicine, celeb a ing bo h eminine powe and biodi e si y
conse a ion.
1.5 Cul u al and Heal h Signi icance
Ba hukamma, he ib an lo al es i al o Telangana, has e ol ed o e cen u ies as a unique cul u al exp ession o eminine ene gy,
ecological awa eness, and ag icul u al g a i ude. His o ically, Ba hukamma was celeb a ed as a u al es i al, p ima ily by women,
o wo ship Goddess Gau i and o o e hanks o he monsoon season, good ha es s, and e ili y o he land. The i ual o a anging
seasonal lowe s in a conical pa e n, singing olk songs, and imme sing Ba hukamma in local wa e bodies symbolized ha mony
wi h na u e and communi y bonding. Howe e , Ba hukamma was no uni o mly popula ac oss all dis ic s o he Telangana egion
du ing ea lie imes. I s ecogni ion began o g ow as a egional cul u al iden i y ma ke , pa icula ly du ing he Telangana mo emen
o s a ehood, whe e i came o symbolise he unique adi ions and he i age o he people. A e he o ma ion o Telangana s a e in
2014, he Go e nmen o Telangana o icially decla ed Ba hukamma as he s a e es i al, gi ing i p ominence in he s a e’s cul u al
calenda . This decla a ion ma ked a e i al o Telangana’s indigenous adi ions, enhancing egional p ide and p ojec ing
Ba hukamma as an emblem o uni y, he i age, and women’s cen al ole in socie y.
Since hen, Ba hukamma has been celeb a ed on a la ge scale wi h go e nmen sponso ship, cul u al e en s, and in e na ional
showcases. Inspi ed by global ca ni als, he s a e also en isioned p ojec ing Ba hukamma o a ac ou ism, while also highligh ing
i as an eco- iendly es i al due o i s eliance on biodeg adable lowe s ins ead o a i icial ma e ials. The ecogni ion ans o med
Ba hukamma om a u al cus om in o a global cul u al ep esen a ion o Telangana’s dis inc iden i y.
Impo ance o Ba hukamma unde he Nizams
Du ing he Nizam e a in Hyde abad, Ba hukamma played an impo an ole in cul u al and eligious li e. Despi e socio-poli ical
challenges, he es i al con inued o lou ish as a symbol o communi y bonding and e e ence o eminine powe . His o ical
accoun s sugges ha he Nizams espec ed and p omo ed he celeb a ion o Ba hukamma, acknowledging i s impo ance o social
ha mony. The Bhagya Lakshmi emple nea Cha mina became one o he p ominen si es o Ba hukamma es i i ies du ing
his pe iod, whe e di e se communi ies pa icipa ed in he celeb a ions.
A well-known s o y highligh s he signi icance o he es i al unde he Nizams: du ing he Musi i e loods in Hyde abad, he
Nizam epo edly p ayed o Goddess Gau i h ough he Ba hukamma i ual, a e which he loodwa e s subsided. This na a i e
ein o ced he deep spi i ual connec ion be ween he es i al and he collec i e ai h o he people.
Ba hukamma unde he Nizams hus symbolised Telangana’s sync e ic adi ions, whe e olk spi i uali y and communi y
pa icipa ion coexis ed wi h he poli ical s uc u es o he ime. Women in pa icula sa egua ded he cul u al con inui y o
Ba hukamma, ensu ing ha i emained a i al exp ession o local iden i y and social cohesion. F om i s ag a ian oo s o i s
ecogni ion as Telangana’s o icial s a e es i al, Ba hukamma has unde gone a ema kable jou ney. Unde he Nizams, i h i ed as
a espec ed cul u al p ac ice ha nu u ed uni y and de o ion. In mode n imes, i s ele a ion as he s a e es i al has ans o med i
in o a global symbol o Telangana’s cul u al p ide, eminine ene gy, ecological balance, and social solida i y.
2: Con ex and Pu pose
Ba hukamma is a nine-day lo al es i al celeb a ed p edominan ly by women in Telangana, coinciding wi h he Na a i season.
The es i al is deeply oo ed in ag a ian adi ions and communi y li e, whe e seasonal lowe s a e a anged in a conical s uc u e
and o e ed o Goddess Gau i.
The p ima y pu pose o Ba hukamma is o wo ship he goddess o heal h, p ospe i y, e ili y, and he empowe men o eminine
ene gy. Beyond i s eligious signi icance, he es i al embodies ecological consciousness h ough he use o locally a ailable,
biodeg adable lowe s and os e s adi ional heal h p ac ices, as many o he lowe s hold medicinal alue.
The abs ac o his s udy highligh s how Ba hukamma in eg a es mul iple dimensions o spi i ual de o ion, ecological awa eness,
cul u al heal h adi ions, and ec ea ional communi y pa icipa ion, making i bo h a eligious obse ance and a socio-cul u al
celeb a ion.
3: Flo al Signi icance
The lowe s chosen o Ba hukamma a e no only alued o hei aes he ic appeal bu also o hei symbolic and medicinal
p ope ies, e lec ing a deep in eg a ion o cul u al adi ion wi h Ayu edic heal h p ac ices. Each lowe ca ies bo h a spi i ual
meaning and he apeu ic bene i , making he es i al a celeb a ion o ecology, heal h, and de o ion.
• Tangedu (Cassia au icula a): T adi ionally used as he base lowe in Ba hukamma a angemen s, i is known in Ayu eda o
i s ole in con olling diabe es and p omo ing skin heal h.
• Gunugu (Celosia a gen ea): I s ib an lame-like appea ance symbolizes ene gy and i ali y; medicinally, i helps egula e
blood p essu e and suppo s diges i e heal h.
• Ma igold (Tage es e ec a): A common o e ing symbolizing auspiciousness, i is alued o skin p o ec ion, wound healing,
and pes con ol in c ops, showing i s ag icul u al ele ance.
Ba hukamma: A Re iew on The Cul u al Signi icance, Medicinal Values o Flowe s, And T adi ional Heal h Wisdom
o The Telugu People
IJSSHR, Volume 08 Issue 10 Oc obe 2025 www.ijssh .in Page 7701
• Lo us (Nelumbo nuci e a): Sac ed in Indian adi ion, i ep esen s pu i y and di ine ene gy. Medicinally, lo us lowe s and
seeds educe body hea , alle ia e cons ipa ion, and calm he mind.
• Globe Ama an h (Gomph ena globosa / Poka Ban i): I s endu ing b igh lowe s symbolize immo ali y. In adi ional
medicine, i is used o imp o e eye heal h and ea espi a o y ailmen s. Thus, he selec ion o Ba hukamma lowe s illus a es
he usion o Ayu eda wi h cul u al p ac ices, whe e de o ion o he goddess is in e wined wi h ecological sus ainabili y and
communi y heal h awa eness.
4: Ri ual and Rec ea ion
Flo al and Ri ual Dimensions o Ba hukamma
Ba hukamma, he ib an lo al es i al o Telangana, is a unique celeb a ion ha ha moniously blends de o ion, ecology, heal h,
and ec ea ion. Beyond i s ole as an o e ing o Goddess Gau i, he es i al e lec s he in ima e ela ionship be ween na u e and
cul u e, whe e lowe s a e chosen no only o hei beau y bu also o hei medicinal and symbolic alues.
Flo al Signi icance
The lowe s used in Ba hukamma a e deeply ied o Ayu edic adi ions and embody bo h cul u al symbolism and he apeu ic
bene i s. Fo example, Tangedu (Cassia au icula a) is adi ionally placed a he base o he a angemen ; i is belie ed o aid in
con olling diabe es and suppo ing skin heal h. Gunugu (Celosia a gen ea), wi h i s lame- ed colo , symbolizes i ali y and is
known o help egula e blood p essu e and diges ion. Ma igold (Tage es e ec a) signi ies auspiciousness while also p o iding skin
p o ec ion and pes con ol in ag icul u e. The Lo us (Nelumbo nuci e a), a sac ed symbol o pu i y, helps educe body hea , alle ia e
cons ipa ion, and calm he mind. Simila ly, Globe Ama an h (Gomph ena globosa, locally called Poka Ban i) symbolizes
immo ali y and is adi ionally used o imp o e eye heal h and ea espi a o y condi ions.
By selec ing such lowe s, Ba hukamma demons a es a usion o Ayu eda wi h cul u al p ac ice, whe e o e ings o he goddess
also e lec awa eness o communi y heal h and en i onmen al sus ainabili y.
Ri ual and Rec ea ion
Equally impo an is he es i al’s ole in os e ing social cohesion and cul u al con inui y. Women ga he daily o c a
Ba hukammas, a anging he lowe s in conical laye s, and hen come oge he in ci cles o sing olk songs ha ca y o al adi ions,
his o ical memo y, and social alues. Thei hy hmic clapping, dancing, and singing ans o m de o ion in o joyous ec ea ion,
c ea ing a sense o collec i e iden i y and ha mony.
This pa icipa o y i ual emphasizes communi y bonding, as women o all ages join in, anscending ba ie s o cas e, class, and
locali y. Th ough hese p ac ices, Ba hukamma becomes no only a spi i ual celeb a ion bu also a social es i al o li e, whe e
ecological awa eness, women’s empowe men , and cul u al p ide con e ge.
5: Culmina ion and Ecological Wisdom
The es i al o Ba hukamma concludes wi h Saddula Ba hukamma, he g and imme sion o lo al a angemen s in local wa e
bodies. This i ual ca ies p o ound ecological and cul u al meanings. Fi s , i is an ac o g a i ude o na u e, whe e people honou
he seasonal boun y p o ided by he monsoon. Second, i e lec s espec o he na u al cycle, as he lowe s ga he ed om he
wild o cul i a ed a e e u ned o i e s, lakes, and ponds, symbolising enewal and con inui y o li e.
The use o biodeg adable ma e ials such as seasonal lowe s and lea es ensu es ha he o e ings decompose na u ally, en iching
aqua ic ecosys ems a he han pollu ing hem. This p ac ice s ands in con as o syn he ic es i al ma e ials and highligh s an
indigenous o m o en i onmen al sus ainabili y. By embedding ecological wisdom wi hin i ual, Ba hukamma eaches
communi ies o li e in ha mony wi h na u e while celeb a ing cul u al iden i y. Thus, he imme sion is no me ely a eligious
conclusion bu also a lesson in ecological s ewa dship, eminding pa icipan s ha cul u al adi ions can play a i al ole in
p o ec ing biodi e si y and main aining en i onmen al balance.
6: O e all Signi icance
Ba hukamma is mo e han a seasonal celeb a ion; i is a holis ic cul u al adi ion ha in eg a es spi i uali y, heal h, iden i y, and
ecology in o a single es i al. Spi i ually, i hono s Goddess Gau i, symbolising eminine ene gy, p ospe i y, and he con inui y o
li e. F om a heal h pe spec i e, he lowe s used in Ba hukamma, such as Cassia au icula a, Celosia, Tage es, and Lo us, possess
medicinal and Ayu edic p ope ies, suppo ing p ac ices like diabe es managemen , blood p essu e egula ion, skin healing, and
o e all wellness (Abhibus, 2024; Club Mahind a, 2023).
Cul u ally, Ba hukamma p ese es Telangana’s iden i y h ough adi ional olk songs, dances, and women-led i uals ha s eng hen
social cohesion and ansmi o al he i age ac oss gene a ions (Telangana Tou ism, 2023). The es i al is also an asse ion o egional
p ide, especially since i s ecogni ion as he s a e es i al o Telangana in 2014.
Ecologically, Ba hukamma demons a es en i onmen al wisdom by using seasonal, biodeg adable lowe s and imme sing hem in
wa e bodies, he eby ein o cing ha mony wi h na u e and sus ainable li ing. This p ac ice dis inguishes he es i al as a model o
blending celeb a ion wi h ecological esponsibili y.
Ba hukamma: A Re iew on The Cul u al Signi icance, Medicinal Values o Flowe s, And T adi ional Heal h Wisdom
o The Telugu People
IJSSHR, Volume 08 Issue 10 Oc obe 2025 www.ijssh .in Page 7702
In essence, Ba hukamma is no me ely a lo al es i al bu a comp ehensi e way o li e ha in eg a es de o ion, adi ional
medicine, ecological consciousness, and cul u al exp ession, making i one o he mos signi ican celeb a ions in Telangana.
REFERENCES
1) Abhibus. (2024). Ba hukamma Fes i al 2024 - Da e, His o y & Celeb a ion. Re ie ed om
h ps://www.abhibus.com/blog/ba hukamma- es i al/
2) Ba hukamma Celeb a ed as 'Fes i al o Li e' in US Ci ies. Times o India.
h ps:// imeso india.india imes.com/ci y/hyde abad/ba hukamma- es i al-celeb a ed-as- es i al-o -li e-in-us-
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3) Ba hukamma Fes i al 2024 - Da e, His o y & Celeb a ion. Abhibus Blog. h ps://www.abhibus.com/blog/ba hukamma-
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h ps://www.clubmahind a.com/blog/ es i als/ba hukamma- es i al-in- elangana
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h ps://www.clubmahind a.com/blog/ es i als/ba hukamma- es i al-in- elangana
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