October 4th, Saturday was a special day for Non Resident Telanganites living in San Diego city of California state of USA. The first ever Bathukamma festival of San Diego has been celebrated in the beautiful location of Lake Poway Park. It has been a festival of involvement for all the members of families including children, men and women

     Colorful Bathukammas, made of variety of flowers have been brought to the park by women and girls in equally colorful traditional attires. Women and young girls sang Bathukamma songs in praise of goddess Gouri while clapping and moving around the Bathukammas in rhythm. It was a sight to see and cherish for men, children and onlookers present in the park. After a good session of Bathukamma, Nimajjanam was performed with full rituals including exchange of vayanam. Lunch containing several sumptuous traditional dishes and sweets was an additional highlight of the occasion.

      Participants felt very happy and satisfied with the arrangements and thanked the organizers Rajeshwar Boinapally, Harini Eravelli, and Swaroopa Kalva for the initiative to bring all the interested people to one place to celebrate the occasion together. The elders present for the occasion spoke of importance of Telangana culture and Bathukamma festival. The participants included luminaries like Padma garu of San Diego Telugu Association, Vishali Suppala, Sridevi Akkala, Sreelatha Bompelli, Archana , Padma Irrinki. Also present for the occasion were well known residents of San Diego Srinivas Eravelli, Pavan Nilakanti, Ravi Koneru, Sreeram, Anand Matampalli, Srinivas Irrinki