Bathukamma

Bathukamma is floral festival celebrated predominantly by the women of Telangana[1][2] and

some parts of Andhra Pradesh[3]. Every year this festival is celebrated as
per Shathavahana calendar for nine days starting Bhadrapada Pournami (also known
as MahalayaAmavasya or Pitru Amavasya) till Durgashtami, usually in September–October of
Gregorian calendar. Bathukamma is celebrated for nine days during Durga Navratri. It starts on
the day of Mahalaya Amavasya and the 9-day festivities will culminate on "Saddula
Bathukamma" or "Pedda Bathukamma" festival on Ashwayuja Navami, popularly known as
Durgashtami which is two days before Dussehra. Bathukamma is followed by Boddemma, which
is a 7-day festival. Boddemma festival that marks the ending of Varsha Ruthu whereas
Bathukamma festival indicates the beginning of Sarad or Sharath Ruthu.
Bathukamma represents cultural spirit of Telangana.[4][5] Bathukamma is a beautiful flower stack,
arranged with different unique seasonal flowers most of them with medicinal values, in seven
concentric layers in the shape of temple gopuram. In Telugu, ‘Bathukamma' means ‘Mother
Goddess come Alive’ and Goddess Maha Gauri-‘Life Giver’ is worshipped in the form of
Bathukamma – the patron goddess of womanhood, Gauri Devi.
It is the festival for feminine felicitation. On this special occasion women dress up in the
traditional sari combining it with jewels and other accessories. Teenage Girls wear Langa-
Oni/Half-Sarees/Lehenga Choli combining it with jewels in order to bring out the traditional
grace of the attire. The 2017 dates are September 20–28.[6] Day 1: Engili pula Bhathukamma Day
2: Atukula Bhathukamma Day 3: Muddappappu Bhathukamma Day 4: Nanbiyyam
Bhathukamma Day 5: Atla Bhathukamma Day 6: Aligina Bhathukamma (alaka Bhathukamma)
Day 7: Vepakayala Bhathukamma Day 8: Venna muddala Bhathukamma Day 9: Saddula
Bhathukamma brothers bring flowers to mother and sisters

History[edit]
Vemulavaada Chalukya were sub-feudatories of Raastrakoota kings. In the wars between Chola
kings and Raastrakootas these Chalukyas sided the Raastrakootas.
In AD 973 Rastrakoota sub-feudal chalukya lord Tailapa II defeated the last king Karka-II of
raashtrakoota kings and established independent Kalyani Chalukya kingdom. After the death
of Tailapa II in AD 997 his son Satyashraya became the king. In the erstwhile kingdom of
Vemulavaada (present Karimnagar District), Rajarajeswara temple is popular. Chola
king, Paraantaka Sundara Chola was in troubles while defending the attack from Raastrakoota
kings. Learning that Rajarajeswara will help those in troubles Paraantak Chola turned as his
devotee.
Also, he named his son as Raja Raja. This is evident from Arikesari epigraph. Raja Raja Chola
ruled between AD 985 and 1014. His son Rajendra Chola attacked as a Chief of Army and stood
victorious on Satyaasraya. As a sign of his victory he destroyed Rajeswara’s temple and took the
Bruhat (huge) Siva linga to his father as a gift. In 1006 Raja Raja Chola had started building a
temple to this huge Sivalinga (Brihadeswara). In 1010 he installed this Linga. Chola kings also
announced in Tamil epigraphs that this Brihadeswara temple is built from the wealth looted in
the attack on Vemulavaada Chalukya kingdom.
Even now the similarities between the Sivalinga of Vemulavaada Bheemeswaralayam and
Sivalinga of Brihadeeswaralayam of Tanjavuru can be seen. Taking away the Sivalinga from
Vemulavaada to Tanjavuru downhearted people of the Kingdom. After leaving the Kingdom, in
the form of Linga, along with an attempt to console Paarvathi (Bruhadamma) in the temple here
and to inform sorrowfulness to Cholas, Batukamma is arranged with flowers like Meru
mountain. On its top Gouramma made with turmeric is placed and is recounted with sing and
play for nine days. Dispatching her in water and calling her back took a shape of a festival.
Batukamma name is derived from Batuku[citation needed] which means life in Telugu, Amma is
mother. Batukamma festival is a social denouncing movement practiced from 1000 years. Only
songs are sung with mother Goddess Parvathi’s name with comforting, who is without shiva.
Golkonda
Golkonda, also known as Golconda, Gol konda ("Round shaped hill"), or Golla konda,
(meaning Shepherd's Hill in the regional language Telugu) is a citadel and fort in Southern India
and was the capital of the medieval sultanate of the Qutb Shahi dynasty(c.1512–1687), is situated
11 km (6.8 mi) west of Hyderabad. It is also a tehsil of Hyderabad district, Telangana, India. The
region is known for the diamond trade that has produced some of the world's most famous gems,
including the Koh-i-Noor, the Hope Diamond, Nassak Diamond and the Noor-ul-Ain.

History
Golkonda was originally known as Mankal.[1] Golkonda Fort was first built by the Kakatiyas as
part of their western defenses along the lines of the Kondapalli Fort. The city and the fortress
were built on a granite hill that is 120 meters (390 ft) high, surrounded by massive battlements.
The fort was rebuilt and strengthened by Rani Rudrama Devi and her successor Prataparudra.[2]
[3]
 Later, the fort came under the control of the Musunuri Nayaks, who defeated
the Tughlaqi army occupying Warangal.[4] It was ceded by the Musunuri Kapaya Bhupathito
the Bahmani Sultanate as part of a treaty in 1364.[5][6]
Under the Bahmani Sultanate, Golkonda slowly rose to prominence. Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-
Mulk (r. 1487–1543), sent as a governor of Telangana, established it as the seat of his
government around 1501. Bahmani rule gradually weakened during this period, and Sultan Quli
formally became independent in 1538, establishing the Qutb Shahi dynasty based in Golkonda.[7]
[8]
 Over a period of 62 years, the mud fort was expanded by the first three Qutb Shahi sultans into
the present structure, a massive fortification of granite extending around 5 km (3.1 mi)
in circumference. It remained the capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty until 1590 when the capital
was shifted to Hyderabad. The Qutb Shahis expanded the fort, whose 7 km (4.3 mi) outer wall
enclosed the city.
The fort finally fell into ruin in 1687, after an eight-month-long siege led to its fall at the hands
of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb
Charminar
The Charminar (four minarates), constructed in 1591, is a monument and mosque located
in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The landmark has become known globally as a symbol of
Hyderabad and is listed among the most recognized structures in India. The Charminar's long
history includes the existence of a mosque on its top floor for more than 400 years. While both
historically and religiously significant, it is also known for the popular and busy local markets
surrounding the structure, and has become one of the most frequented tourist attractions in
Hyderabad. Charminar is also a site of numerous festival celebrations, such as Eid-ul-adha and
Eid-ul-fitr.[3]
The Charminar is situated on the east bank of Musi river.[4] To the west lies the Laad Bazaar, and
to the southwest lies the richly ornamented granite Makkah Masjid.[5] It is listed as an
archaeological and architectural treasure on the official "List of Monuments" prepared by
the Archaeological Survey of India.[6] The English name is a translation and combination of
the Urdu words chār and minar or meenar, translating to "Four Pillars"; the eponymous towers
are ornate minarets attached and supported by four grand arches

History
The fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, built the Charminar in
1591 after shifting his capital from Golkondato the newly formed city of Hyderabad.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the current caretaker of the structure, mentions in its
records, "There are various theories regarding the purpose for which Charminar was constructed.
However, it is widely accepted that Charminar was built at the center of the city, to
commemorate the eradication of Cholera", a deadly disease which was wide spread at that time.
[7]
 Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah had prayed for the end of the plague that was ravaging his city
and vowed to build a Mosque at the very place where he prayed.[8] According to Jean de
Thévenot, a French traveller of the 17th century whose narration was complemented with the
available Persian texts, the Charminar was constructed in the year 1591 CE, to commemorate the
beginning of the second Islamic millennium year (1000 AH). The event was celebrated far and
wide in the Islamic world, thus Qutb Shah founded the city of Hyderabad to celebrate the event
and commemorate it with the construction of this building.[9][10]:17–19Due to its architecture it is
also called as Arc de Triomphe of the east.[11]
The Charminar was constructed at the intersection of the historical trade route that connects the
markets of Golkonda with the port city of Machilipatnam.[12]:195 The Old City of Hyderabad was
designed with Charminar as its centerpiece.[13] The city was spread around the Charminar in four
different quadrants and chambers, segregated according to the established settlements. Towards
the north of Charminar is the Char Kaman, or four gateways, constructed in the cardinal
direction.[9][12][14][15]:170 Additional eminent architects from Persia were also invited to develop the
city plan. The structure itself was intended to serve as a Mosque and Madarsa. It is of Indo-
Islamic architecture style, incorporating Persian architectural elements.
Salar Jung Museum
The Salar Jung Museum is an art museum located at Dar-ul-Shifa, on the southern bank of
the Musi River in the city of Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is one of the three National
Museums of India.[1]
Originally a private art collection of the Salar Jung family, it was endowed to the nation after the
death of Salar Jung III. It was inaugurated on 16 December 1951.
It has a collection of sculptures, paintings, carvings, textiles, manuscripts, ceramics, metallic
artifacts, carpets, clocks, and furniture
from Japan, China, Burma, Nepal, India, Persia, Egypt, Europe, and North America. It is one of
the largest museums in the world

History

History[edit]
A nobleman of the Salar Jung family of Hyderabad, Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung
III (1889–1949) served as Prime Minister of Hyderabad during the Nizam's rule. He spent a
substantial amount of his income, over a period thirty-five years, collecting artifacts from all
across the world.
After the Nawab died in 1949, the collections were left behind in his ancestral palace Diwan
Devdi. The collection was formerly exhibited there as a private museum, named Salar Jung
Museum, which was inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru on 16 December 1951.[3][4]
Old timers believe that the present collection constitutes only half of the original art wealth
collected by the Nawab. His employees siphoned off part of it, since the Nawab depended upon
his staff to keep a vigil.
In 1968, the museum shifted to its present location at Dar-ul-Shifa, and is administered by a
Board of Trustees with the Governor of Telangana as ex officio chairperson under the Salar Jung
Museum Act of 1961. Some more art pieces were lost or stolen during the shifting of the
museum from Diwan Devdi to the present site.[5]
In 2006, a fire broke out in an auditorium in the museum premises. However, it was quickly
extinguished and none of the artifacts were damaged.[6][7] After the incident, fire safety facilities
were upgraded
Nehru Zoological Park
Nehru Zoological Park (also known as Hyderabad Zoo or Zoo Park) is a zoo located near Mir
Alam Tank in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is one of the most visited destinations in
Hyderabad.[2] Zoo hours vary by season, and the zoo is closed on Mondays

History[edit]
Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad was established in vide G.O.Ms. No.247, dated 26 October
1959 and opened to the public on 6 October 1963. The Park is run by forest
department, Government of Telangana, and is named after the first Prime Minister of
India, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Animals and exhibits[edit]

The zoo occupies 380 acres (150 ha) and is adjacent to the 600-acre (240 ha) Mir Alam Tank.
Nearly 100 species of birds, animals and reptiles are housed at the zoo, including indigenous
animals like the Indian rhino, Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, panther, gaur, Indian elephant, slender
loris, python, as well as deer, antelopes and birds. The 600-acre (240 ha) Mir Alam Tank with its
unique multiple arched bund (embankment), attracts hundreds of migratory birds, providing yet
another attraction for the zoo.[3]
The nocturnal house at the zoo artificially reverses night and day for the animals so that
nocturnal animals are active while visitors are at the zoo. This exhibit
includes chimpanzee, giraffe,[4] fruit bats, slender loris, slow loris, civets, leopard
cats, hedgehogs, barn owls, mottled wood owls, fishing owls, and great horned owls.[5] There is
also an aquarium, dino park, butterfly park and tortoise house.

Attractions[edit]
The zoo runs multiple safari trips each day through the safari area where animals such as Asiatic
lion, Bengal tiger, sloth bear etc. are housed.[6] The zoo also has special educational shows and
feeding sessions scheduled each day. Other attractions include a natural history museum and a
train.[7]

Conservation[edit]
Several animals are bred in the zoo have been rehabilitated in various deer parks and sanctuaries
to restock the depleted natural population