The Telugu Association of Greater Chicago celebrated Bathukamma, Oct. 2, 2022, at the SVS Balaji Temple in Aurora, Illinois. Jammi Pooja and Dusshera were also part of the program.
More than 800 people came to enjoy the festivities, according to a press release from Asian Media USA.
The Bathukamma organizing team at TAGC, purchased Chanderi pattu sarees so that about 200 women wore matching sarees a unique color combination to the event. This initiative was done to support impoverished weavers in South India and help them financially, organizers said in the press release.
The venue was decorated with colorful flowers from florist Amritha. TAGC President and Board offered saree, flowers, pasupu and kumkum to goddess Parvathi at the temple after the event.
The TAGC President Uma Avadhuta welcomed all the guests with a brief introduction about the significance of the festival.
Uma Avadhuta, Bathukamma chair Vinitha Podduturi along with co chairs Pooja, Madhavi and Pranaya started the event with diya lighting.
A prayer song began the Bathukamma festivities which continued until 5:30 PM. Renowned folk singer Niharika sang and guided other women on the steps for the dance.
Women played Bathukamma with energy and passion till the end of the event, the press release said.
The vegetarian lunch coordinated by Food Chairs Srinivas Adepu and Ramakanth Jonnala offered a wide variety.
A highlight of the program was the special Kolatam by women aged over 60 and adults teenagers.
At the end of the event, all the Bathukamma’s were taken as a procession and immersed in a pond close by with the help of TAGC men on the board and among volunteers
TAGC president Uma Avadhuta along with members, sponsors and ATS Leadership team, presented the gifts to Bathukamma competition winners and Raffle winners.
The event was also used to raise funds to support WEWA for supporting education to economically backward students in India. More than 400 participants donated funds, the press release said.
After Bathukamma immersion, all the families participated in Shammi/Jammi puja conducted by Balaji temple priest on the occasion of Dusshera.
