Chicago IL: American Telugu Association (ATA) a 27+ years old organization has conducted its flagship event Dussehra and Bathukamma Celebrations at Sri Balaji Temple, Aurora (Chicago) on Sunday Oct 7th. ATA Advisory chair Hanumanth Reddy garu along with event organizers Dr. Meher Medavaram, Laxmi Boyapalli, Bhanu Swargam, Regional team comprising of Venkat Thudi, Mahipal Vancha, Hari Raini and Core team members wished the community - prosperity, happiness and wealth during this festive season. Around 300 + saree clad Indian women attended the occasion to celebrate the festival of Dussehra/Bathukamma festival offering flowers to the goddess Gauri/Bathukamma with much fervor and gusto.
Event started with Vigneshwara Pooja, offering prayers to lord Ganesh to remove any obstacles. ATA team was party to the lamp lighting ceremony. Smt. Sunitha Reddy explained the importance of the Bathukamma festival and thanked the ladies for their beautiful Bathukamma’s. Unique decoration by Anitha Pochampally portraying Bathukamma was the highlight of the event, Kids and Ladies were witnessed having a great time snapping pictures in front of the backdrop.
Sumptuous food was served to the audiences and the post lunch festivities kick started with Bathukamma arriving traditionally amidst prayers. Ladies carrying their home made Bathukammas placed them in the rangoli formation made out of rice flour. Maleeda was offered to the goddess as a ritual offering which included various saddi’s. Celebrity folk Singer Raagam Shalini, a special attraction for the event, enthralled the audiences with her mesmerizing voice and everybody was witnessed dancing to the tunes of Bathukamma. Bathukamma, an arrangement of flowers in the shape of a pyramid is a hugely popular festival in Telugu states and celebrates the goddess Gauri.
ATA team thanked the community for their unconditional love and support and appreciated the sponsors for lending a helping hand to celebrate the customs and traditions of of our telugu culture. Best Bathukamma & Raffle ticket winners were awarded prizes by Dr.Mehar Medavaram and Sainath Boyapalli. Volunteer efforts were overseen by Narasimha Chittaluri, Mahipal Vancha, Venkat Thudi, Hari Raini & Venkat reddy. Media & food logistics were handled by Jagan Bukkaraju, Ramana Abbaraju , Karunakar Doddam and Vijay Yanala.
