Hyderabad: The Telangana state government created a Guinness Book record by conducting the “Maha Bathukamma” in the city with 9,292 women dressed in their traditional attire, including women from 40 countries. The Maha Bathukamma festival celebration was held at LB stadium on Saturday. A major attraction at the celebration was the 20-foot-tall Bathukamma placed in the middle of the stadium.
GHMC authorities had organised the entry for participants from the Fateh Maidan Club into LB stadium. The sudden rain in the evening did not dampen the high spirits. “It is an honour to be a part of the Guinness record,” said Rukmini Reddy, 72, from Gandhinagar who participated in the celebrations with three generations of her family.
“This is another feather in the history of Hyderabad. Never before have I seen such a massive response,” added Ambika Naidu from Red Hills. A famous face among the participants was Tennis star Sania Mirza. The nine-day festivities end on Sunday. The Saddula Bathukamma (last day event) will be held at Tank Bund. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Governor E.S.L. Narasimha N. Rao, Cabinet ministers and legislators will attend the final day celebrations.
