The fragrance of Bathukamma will hang in the air this year, literally. The State government has roped in a private agency for using paramotoring experts to send flower arrangement in the air and leave it there so that it is visible across a large part of the city.

“The flower arrangement, Bathukamma, will appear as if floating in the sky. We are doing it at four locations and the Bathukamma will be kept at a height of 300 metres,” said Harikrishna Mamidi of Department of Culture, Telangana.

On October 17, 18 and 19, the Bathukamma will hang in the air at four locations — Bison Polo Grounds, Parade Grounds, People’s Plaza and Telangana Kala Bharathi Grounds (NTR Stadium).

Flower power

Bathukamma has been accorded the recognition of a State Festival with the usual trappings of official function with an outlay of ₹20 crore for the nine-day event. Traditionally, ingenious flower arrangements are created using locally available flowers with gunugu (Celosia) taking precedence to represent Bathukamma.

The flower arrangement is released into the nearest water body.

Record bid

Last year, the State government tried to create a world record with the largest flower arrangement in the world but failed as heavy downpour disrupted the event.

“We want to turn Bathukamma into an international festival of flowers and celebrations. It can be used to increase tourist arrivals in the State and showcase the cultural richness of the State. Every year, it is becoming bigger and better. We have involved 30,500 anganwadi centres for the celebration of Boddemma, which is celebrated by young girls,” informed Mr. Mamidi.

Food festival

The culinary legacy of Telangana will be on show at the People’s Plaza with three-day food festival between October 17 and 19.

Curtains will come down on the gala celebrations with Saddula Batukamma event on October 17 on the banks of Hussainsagar with a laser show, 20-minute fireworks display, a moving cultural carnival with 1,000 folk artistes and a procession of flower floats.