Euphoria at Bonalu

This is the first bonalu after the formation of the newly appointed state of Telangana which is the epicenter of bonalu festival. Telangana government has declared it as an official festival of the state.The history of Bonalu festival traces back to 1813. It is believed that an epidemic broke out in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, killing hundreds of people, as Goddess Mahankali was angry with them.They prayed to the goddess and promised to install her statue in the city, pleased she saved the people. Since then they offer Bonam- rice cooked with milk and jaggery,to Goddess Mahankali.

It is also believed that the Goddess visits her maternal home during the Aashadam month, July-August, and in her honour this special dish is prepared.It signifies the usual special meals pre-pared when a daughter visits maternal home from her marital home.Women carry earthen pots containing Bonam, decorated with neem leaves,turmeric, vermilion and a lamp (Diya) and offer bangles and saree to the Goddess. A colorful, paper structure supported by sticks, called as Thottelu is offered to the Goddess as a mark of respect.

The women carrying Bonam are believed to possess the spirit of the goddess.Before the procession a woman standing atop of an earthen pot predicts future, this is called as rangam.Believing that the Goddess is invoked onto her, devotees ask her questions about the future. Usually Rangam predicts on set of monsoon. Later, the procession starts, led by Potharaju, brother of the Goddess. A bare bodied man draped in a dhoti anointed with turmeric, vermilion dances to whip lashes and drum beats represents ‘Potharaju’. Since he leads the procession of dancing women, he is called as the protector.Earlier devotees used to sacrifice a male buffalo in front of the temple, to ward off evil and now roosters are being sacrificed.

The festival kick starts from Mahankali temple at Golconda Fort on first Sunday, followed by other temples where Goddess Mahankali is worshipped with her varied names.The procession is held on large scale in major temples of Golconda, Secunderabad and Lal Darwaza. Processions of these temples are carried on decorated elephants, provided by Nehru Zoological Park.The festival concludes by immersing Ghatam- a copper pot, at Nayapul.