Utnoor(Adilabad): The existing drought conditions created shortage of ‘gunugu’ (Celosia argentea) flowers which are widely used in preparing Bathukamma idols. So women chose to replace those flowers with that of teak (Tectonia grandis).
The ‘gunugu’ flowers are mostly found at the edges of agriculture fields but this time, there are not many of the plants due to the dry conditions.
So women switched to using teak flowers which add to the beauty of the flower arrangement. Generally, teak flowers are not used in preparation of Bathukamma idols but with women preferring it, the demand for teak flowers has risen this season.
Mekala Sujatha of Utnoor said she, along with her sisters, collected teak flowers due to shortage of ‘gunugu’ and that teak flowers had enhanced the beauty of her Bathukamma idol. “Gungu flowers are really an essential part of Bathukamma idol but due to the shortage of the flowers, we were forced to go for teak flowers,” she said, adding that even their relatives in Karimnagar had taken the flowers in a mini-van from Adilabad.
The ‘gunugu’ flowers which usually do not cost much are being sold at Rs 1 a flower this year.
