Engili Pula Bathukamma (Day 1)

The first day of Bathukamma, on Mahalaya Amavasya. The offering is nuvvulu (sesame) with rice flour, or nooka (coarsely ground rice). Day 1 of the nine days of Bathukamma, 10 to 18 October 2026. Women stack seasonal flowers such as gunuka and tangedu into a Bathukamma, sing and dance around it in the evening, and later set it afloat in a tank or lake.

Significance: Bathukamma means "come alive, Mother": women honour Gauri with towers of seasonal flowers. The first day falls on Mahalaya (Pethara) Amavasya and is called Engili Pula, by tradition because the flowers are gathered the day before.