Kishan Reddy invites women to Bathukamma fest at Amberpet
Synopsis
Union Minister and BJP Telangana president G. Kishan Reddy has invited women to a Bathukamma celebration at Amberpet Grounds on October 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM, with Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Smt. Janaki Shukla attending as chief guests.
Key Takeaways
Kishan Reddy announced a Bathukamma celebration at Amberpet Grounds, Hyderabad .
The event is scheduled for October 17, 2026 at 5:30 PM .
Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Smt.
Janaki Shukla will attend as chief guests.
Reddy described Bathukamma as a symbol of Telangana's cultural heritage and women's self-respect.
Bathukamma is Telangana's signature women's festival featuring floral arrangements floated on water.
BJP Telangana leaders have regularly organised or participated in regional festivals since state formation in 2014 .
Flowers, colour, and the spirit of Telangana's daughters — Union Coal and Mines Minister and BJP Telangana state president G. Kishan Reddy has extended a warm invitation to women across the region to gather at Amberpet Grounds, Hyderabad, on October 17, 2026 for a grand Bathukamma celebration.
Posting on October 15, Reddy described Bathukamma as a symbol of Telangana's cultural splendour and the self-respect of its daughters — 'ఆడబిడ్డల ఆత్మగౌరవానికి ప్రతీక' ('a symbol of the self-respect of daughters') — and urged women to attend in large numbers to make the event a resounding success. The festivities are scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM.
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and First Lady to grace the occasion
The event carries added ceremonial weight with Telangana Governor Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla and Smt. Janaki Shukla, Telangana's First Lady, confirmed as chief guests. Governor Shukla, appointed to the post in 2024, will be lending the occasion an official constitutional imprimatur — a pattern well-established for major state cultural celebrations since Telangana's formation in 2014.
Bathukamma: more than petals on water
Bathukamma is Telangana's most distinctive women's festival, marked by the artful stacking of seasonal flowers into cone-shaped arrangements that are then floated on water to the accompaniment of folk songs. It celebrates both natural abundance and womanhood, making it a touchstone of Telangana identity. Political figures across party lines have long participated in or organised Bathukamma events to signal cultural solidarity with the state's traditions.
For BJP's Telangana unit, helmed by Reddy, such public celebrations serve a dual purpose: honouring a living folk tradition and building grassroots connect with women voters in a state where the party is working to expand its footprint. The scale of turnout at Amberpet Grounds and any policy or cultural remarks from the Governor will be closely watched.
Bathukamma does not merely mark a date on the calendar — it marks a claim to belonging. And this year, it arrives with the state's constitutional head in attendance.
Point of View
A state the party has historically struggled to dominate. By positioning itself as a custodian of the region's most beloved women's festival, the party seeks to build emotional equity among female voters. The Governor's participation elevates what could be a partisan rally into a state-level cultural event, lending it broader legitimacy. This convergence of cultural celebration and political outreach has become a defining feature of post-2014 Telangana politics across all major parties.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bathukamma and why is it celebrated?
Bathukamma is Telangana's traditional women's festival where seasonal flowers are stacked into decorative cone-shaped arrangements and floated on water accompanied by folk songs. It celebrates womanhood, nature, and Telangana's distinct cultural identity.
Where and when is the Bathukamma event organised by G. Kishan Reddy?
The event is scheduled at Amberpet Grounds, Hyderabad, on October 17, 2026, starting at 5:30 PM.
Who are the chief guests at the Bathukamma celebration?
Telangana Governor Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla and Smt. Janaki Shukla, the First Lady of Telangana, are the confirmed chief guests.
Who is G. Kishan Reddy?
G. Kishan Reddy is the Union Minister of Coal and Mines in the Government of India and also serves as the BJP's Telangana state president.
Who is the current Governor of Telangana?
Shiv Pratap Shukla is the Governor of Telangana, having been appointed to the post in 2024.
