The Floral Festival of Telangana

J Pharm Adv Res, 2018; 1(5): 271-275. The Floral Festival.

R Journal of Pharmaceutical Advanced Research E (An International Multidisciplinary Peer Review Open Access monthly Journal) V Available online at: www.jparonline.com I E W Traditional and medicinal secrets of Bhatukamma: The floral festival of Telangana

A K. Sudheer Kumar*, N. Ravindra, S. Seetaram Swamy R Department of Pharmacognosy, MAK College of Pharmacy, Moinabad Main Road, Hyderabad - 500075, T Telangana, India. I C Received: 21.06.2018 Revised: 26.06.2018 Accepted: 28.06.2018 Published: 30.06.2018 L E ABSTRACT: Bathukamma is the State Festival of Telangana. Government of Telangana state has declared the Bathukamma Festival as Telangana state festival. “Bathukamma is a beautiful festival celebrated with happiness. It represents the cultural spirit of Telangana. There are also many scientific reasons behind it. Bathukamma is celebrated for nine days during Durga Navratri. It starts on the day of Mahalaya Amavasya and the 9-day festivities culminate on "Saddula Bathukamma" or "Pedda Bathukamma" festival on Ashwayuja Ashtami, popularly known as Durgashtami which is two days before Dussehra. The flower stack, arranged with seasonal flowers, has many medicinal values. It is a floral festival in which everyday various colored flowers are arranged row after row in a brass plate, called as Bathukamma, placed in front of Diety and daily worshipped for a week. J ______P A Corresponding author* INTRODUCTIONS: Mr. K. Sudheer Kumar Bathukamma is a floral festival celebrated in Telangana R MAK College of Pharmacy, state in India during Dusshera, has scientific support due Moinabad Main Road, Hyderabad - 500075, Telangana, India. to the medicinal values of flowers used. Bathukamma is Mail ID. [email protected] a beautiful colourful flowers arranged in the shape of Tel No. +91 9014485137 temple gopuram, and the flowers used in preparing Bathukamma has its unique medicinal values. The 2 flowers used in Bathukamma have a great quality of purifying water and such flowers when immersed in 0 abundance into the pond have the effect of cleansing the 1 water and making the environment much better. Flowers 8 and leaves used for preparing idols of Bathukamma help Keywords: Bathukamma, Festival, Medicinal in preventing water-borne diseases as they possess value, Flora. various medicinal properties. Bathukamma is a unique

Sudheer. , et al. ©Journal of Pharmaceutical Advanced Research 2018. 271 J Pharm Adv Res, 2018; 1(5): 271-275. The Floral Festival. tribute to nature, which starts with colourful flowers and offering/Naivedyam: rice flour shaped into the fruits of culminates in a water body. This festival celebrates the neem tree is deepfried. inherent relationship between earth, water and the Day 8: Vennamuddala Bathukamma: The eight day falls human beings. During the entire preceding week, on sapthami/seventh day of Ashwayuja masam. women make ‘boddemma’ (a deity of Gowri – mother Food offering/Naivedyam: nuvvulu (sesame), Venna Durga – made with earthly mud) along with (Butter) or ghee (clarified butter), and bellam (jaggery). Bathukamma and immerse it in the pond [1]. Day 9: Saddula Bathukamma: The ninth day of This helps reinforce the ponds and helps it retain more bathukamma is celebrated on ashtami/eight day of water. The festival heralds the beauty of nature, its Ashwayuja masam, and coincides with Durgashtami. biodiversity, and its importance as a mother for our Final Day of Bathukamma festival is Saddhula survival. It is a signs of reverence and harbinger for Bathukamma. The Bathukammas prepared in big sizes sustainability and resilience. It proclaims the than regular days in order to immersed them in water indomitable spirit of womenfolk and also the ecological (Bathukamma Nimajjanam). It falls on Durga Ashtami spirit of the agrarian people in preserving the natural day and in some instances it falls on Mahanavami day [3]. resources in a festive way. The flowers used for making MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE OF FLOWERS Bathukamma are unique seasonal flowers, most of them USED IN BATHUKAMMA FESTIVAL [3-6]: with medicinal value. Bathukamma festival celebrations Celosia: Celosia argentea, belongs to family on each day, beginning from Pethara Amavasya till the Amaranthaceae. Its vernacular names are Telugu: Saddula Bathukamma (Grand Finale of Bathukamma Gunugu, Hindi: safaid murga and English: silver cock’s festival) are listed below [2]. comb. It is a common weed throughout India and used in Day 1: Engili pula Bathukamma- The first day of the traditional medicine for Diarrhoea, dysentery, abdominal festival falls on Mahalaya Amavasya, also known as pain. Celosia has medicinal properties: Antibacterial, Pethara Amavasya in Telangana region. Anti-inflammatory, Anti-diabetic, Wound Healing, Food offering/Naivedyam: Nuvvulu (Sesame seeds) with Antioxidant, Leaves of celosia, Bruised and applied as biyyampindi (rice flour) or nookalu (coarsely ground poultice, are used for treating of infected sores. wet rice). Senna: Cassia auriculata of family Caesalpinaceae. Its Day 2: Atkula Bathukamma: The second day is called vernacular names are Telugu: Tangedu, Hindi Atkula bathukamma, falls on the Padyami (first day) of Bhuikhakhasa and English: Senna. Shows Antibacterial Ashwayuja masam. Food offering/Naivedyam: Sappidi properties its roots, flowers, flower buds, barks are used pappu (Bland boiled lentils), bellam (jaggery), and to treat various diseases. Cassia are used to treat fevers, atkulu (flattened parboiled rice). diabetes, diseases related to urinary system and Day 3: Muddapappu Bathukamma: The third day of constipation, Cassia treat eye diseases-problems, Bathukamma falls on Vidiya/second day of Ashwayuja rheumatism, gonorrhoea and gout. It is mainly used as a masam. Food offering/Naivedyam: muddapappu blood purifier, laxative- for relieving constipation. (softened boiled lentils), milk and bellam (jaggery). Marigold: Calendula officinalis of family Asteraceae. Day 4: Nanabiyyam Bathukamma: The fourth day falls Its vernacular names are Telugu: Kunda, Banthi, Hindi: on thidiya/third day of Ashwayuja masam. Food Genda and English: Marigold. Marigold is a potent offering/Naivedyam: nananesina biyyam (wet rice), antiseptic herb. Several of the active chemical milk, and bellam (jaggery). constituents found in the herb are fungicidal or mycotic Day 5: Atla Bathukamma: The fifth day falls on the toxins - especially the resins, Marigold Flower is used to chathurdi/fourth day of Ashwayuja masam. Food treat wounds, conjunctivitis, cuts, bruises, burns, offering/Naivedyam: uppidi pindi atlu (pan cakes made athlete’s foot, acne, yeast infections, bee stings, diaper from wheatlets), or Dosa. rashes etc. Day 6: Aligina Bathukamma: The sixth day falls on the Mexican marigold: Tagetes erecta of family panchami/fifth day of Ashwayuja masam. No food Asteraceae. Its vernacular names are Telugu: Rekka, offering is made. Bantichettu, Hindi: Jhenduphool, English: Mexican Day 7: Vepakayala Bathukamma: The seventh day falls marigold. Used in ulcers, laxation, eye diseases, Kidney on the sashti/sixth day of Ashwayuja masam. Food troubles, muscular pain, Rheumatism, Bronchitis etc. It

Sudheer, et al. ©Journal of Pharmaceutical Advanced Research 2018. 272 J Pharm Adv Res, 2018; 1(5): 271-275. The Floral Festival. also exhibits antibacterial activity. The whole herb is healing wounds. CNS, cardiovascular, gonadotropic, anthelmintic, aromatic, digestive, diuretic, anti-tumour, antiinfectious and anti-oxidative activity. emmenagogue, sedative and stomachic. Sedge: Rhychospora wightiana of family Cyperaceae. Chrysanthemum: Chrysanthemum indicum of family Its vernacular names are Telugu: Gaddi puvvu and Asteraceae. Telugu: Chamanthi Puvvu, Hindi: English: Sedge. Gaddi Poolu is used in herbal medicine. guladaudee and English: mums or chrysanths. It is used to treat dyspepsia, bronchitis, all nervous Chrysanthemum is used to treat chest pain (angina), high complaints, Vertigoes, headaches, infections etc. blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, fever, cold, headache, Pumpkin Flower: Cucurbita pepo of family dizziness, and swelling. Chrysanthemum can help the Cucurbitaceae. Its vernacular names are Telugu: body fight off a range of infections including budadegummadi, budide-gummadi, Hindi: Safed kaddu streptococcal and staphylococcal infections. and English: Pumpkin, Field pumpkin. Used as Mirabilis four o'clock flower: Mirabilis jalapa of an antiinflammatory, antiviral, analgesic urinary family Nyctaginaceae. Telugu: Chandrakantha disorders, anti-ulcer, antidiabetic and antioxidant Rudraksha Puvvu, Hindi: Gul abbas Gulbakshi and Traditional medicine, particularly Ayurvedic systems. English: Beauty-of-the-night, Marvel of Peru. Globe amaranth: Gomphrena globosa of family Chandrakantha Flower is used to treat wounds, Amaranthaceae. Its vernacular names are Telugu: Gaddi dropsy, abscesses. It also reduce inflammation and used Puvvu, Hindi: Gul-e-Makhmal and English: Bachelor's in wound healing. Used Purgative, diuretic and for buttons, Globe amaranth. Used to treat bronchitis, wound healing purposes. The leaf juice is used to treat cough, dysentery, tuberculosis, asthma etc. wounds. Ipomoea: Jacquemontia pentanthos of family Hibiscus: Hibisus rosasinensis of family Malvaceae. Its Convolvulaceae. Its vernacular names are Telugu: katla vernacular names are Telugu: Mandara Puvvu, Hindi: puvvu, English: Morning Glory Skyblue Clustervine. Gurhal and English: China Rose, Chinese hibiscus. Ipomoea for their content of medical Hibiscus flower extracts have been long used in skin and psychoactive compounds, mainly alkaloids. Some care treatment. Hibiscus contains high levels of vitamin species are renowned for their properties in folk C, which is a potent antioxidant. This flower also has medicine and herbalism. Katla is a valuable medicinal anti-inflammatory properties that help in preventing plant having anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory acne. properties. Rose: Rosa of family Rosaceae. Its vernacular names Firecraker: Crossandra infundibuliformis of family are Telugu: Gulabi Puvvu, Hindi: Gulab and English: Acanthaceae. Its vernacular names are Telugu: Rose. Diuretic and laxative. Infusions of Kanakambaralu, Hindi: priyadarsha and English: dried rose petals are used for headaches. Steam Firecraker. Leaves are good antioxidant; flower is anti inhalation of a decoction of rose petals, lavender, and microbial, anti bacterial it is also anti fungal. Flower hops help induce sleep. Used in cosmetics. Rose water is extract used in various conditions like fever, headache, an effective astringent that reduces swelling of aperitif, pain etc. capillaries beneath the skin. Indian Lotus: Nelumbo nucifera of family Nerium: Nerium oleander of family Apocynaceae. Its Nelumbonaceae. Its vernacular names are Telugu: vernacular names are Telugu: Ganneru, Hindi: kaner and Tamara, Hindi: Kamal and English: Lotus. Tamara is English: oleander. Nerium is used for heart conditions, used to treat Diarrhoea, Blood sugar, cholesterol, asthma, epilepsy, cancer, painful menstrual periods, Inflammation, Nutrition, Acne prevention, Menstrual leprosy, malaria, ringworm, indigestion, and venereal cycle, Cough, Cancer, fever, sweating, bleeding disease; and to cause abortions. Ganneru is used to treat disorders, nose bleed, hematuria liver, kidney problems, ulcers, ringworm, abscesses, hemorrhoids and leprosy. parasitic infestations. Butterfly Gardenia: Tabernaemontana divaricata of Ridge Gourd – Luffa: Luffa aegyptiaca of family family Apocynaceae. Its vernacular names are Telugu: Cucurbitaceae. Its vernacular names are Telugu: Beera Nandi Vardhanam, Hindi:Chandini and English: Crape Puvvu, Hindi: Torai and English: Ridge Guard. Luffa. jasmine. Plants have been used in folk medicine for the Ridge Gourd is used to treat colds, nasal swelling, sinus, treatment of high blood pressure, pain and inflammation, muscle pains, chest pain. Detoxifies skin, It is also used

Sudheer, et al. ©Journal of Pharmaceutical Advanced Research 2018. 273 J Pharm Adv Res, 2018; 1(5): 271-275. The Floral Festival.

Celosia Hibiscus Amaranth

Senna Rose Ipomea

Marigold Nerium Firecracker

Mexican marigold Butterfly Indian Lotus

Chrysanthemum Sedga Ridge guard

Mirabilis Pumpkin flower Jasmine

Butter pon Morning glory Lily Fig 1. Picture of various flowers having medicinal value used in Bathukamma festival.

Sudheer, et al. ©Journal of Pharmaceutical Advanced Research 2018. 274 J Pharm Adv Res, 2018; 1(5): 271-275. The Floral Festival. for nasal swelling and sinus problems, for arthritis pain, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: muscle pain and chest pain, helps in restoring absent Authors wish to thanks the authority of MAK College of menstrual periods. Nursing mothers use it to increase Pharmacy, Hyderabad, for providing library facility to milk flow. Jasmine: Jasminum fluminense of family carry out this review study. Oleaceae. Its vernacular names are Mallipuvvu is an REFERENCES: Ayurvedic medicinal plant, it is used to treat wounds, 1. Gnanmani A, Shanmuga PK, Radhakrishnan N, Mary skin diseases, ulcers of the oral cavity, gingivitis, B. Antibacterial activity of two plant extracts on eight headache, erectile dysfunction and eye diseases , jasmine burn pathogens. J Ethano Pharmacol, 2003; 86: 59- has been used as an aphrodisiac and as a means to 61. increase immunity and fight fever. It has also been 2. Ruben P, Gajalakshmi K. In vitro antibacterial regarded as a means to treat conjunctivitis. activity of Hibiscus rosasinensis flower extracts Button Pom: Chrysanthemum. Its vernacular names are against human pathogens. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, Telugu: Chitti Chamanthi and English: Button Pom. 2012; 2(5): 399-403. Used as Anti microbial and insecticide. Chitti Chamanthi 3. Anusha B, Nithya V, Vidhya VG. Phytochemical is used to treat chest pain (angina), high blood pressure, screening and in vitro antioxidant activities of the type 2 diabetes, fever, cold, headache, dizziness, ethanolic extract of Hibiscus rosasinensis L. Analy swelling, prostate cancer. Biol Res, 2011; 2(5): 653-661. Morning glory: Ipomoea hederifolia of family 4. Vinayagam A, Sudha PN. Separation and Convolvulaceae. Its vernacular names are Telugu: Chitti identification of phenolic acid and flavonoids from Chamanthi and English: Button Pom. Kashirathnam has Nerium indicum flowers. Indian J Pharm Sci, 2015; various pharmacological properties such as diuretic, 3: 91-95. anthelmintic, blood purifier, deobstruent, laxative, 5. Bathukamma, Signature festival of carminative and anti-inflammatory. It is used to treat Telangana. www.TheHindu.com. abdominal diseases, fevers, headache and bronchitis. 6. Bathukamma, The unique festival of flowers in Lily Puvvu: Polianthes tuberosa of family Telangana. Eu.wikipedia.org. Asparagaceae. Its vernacular names are Telugu: Nelasampengi Puvvu, Hindi: Rajnigandha and English: Conflict of Interest: None Lily Flower. The flowers are considered diuretic and Source of Funding: Nil emetic. The dried and powered bulbs are used as a Paper Citation: Kumar KS, Ravindra N, Swamy SS. remedy for gonorrhoea. Lilly is an aromatic flowers Traditional and medicinal secrets of Bhatukamma: plant and are used in oranmental purpose, it is used to The floral festival of Telangana. J Pharm Adv Res, treat antigonorrhoea, diuretic, emetic and for curing 2018; 1(5): 271-275. rashes. CONCLUSION: Traditional knowledge especially on the medicinal uses of plants has provided many important drugs of modern day. Even today this area holds much more hidden treasure as almost 80% of the human population in developing countries is dependent on plant resources for healthcare. The primary objective of this article is to summarize information on traditional and medicinal secrets of flowers uses in Bhatukamma the floral festival of Telangana. This information may helps to identifying research gaps and suggesting perspectives for future research.