Hyderabad gears up for Bonalu festival

Hyderabad is all set to celebrate the much-awaited Bonalu festival, which was declared as the state festival of Telangana in the year 2016 by the state government. It is a festival dedicated to Goddess Mahankali and is observed in the Ashadha month of Hindu calendar.

Hyderabad (Telangana):Hyderabad is gearing up to celebrate Bonalu, a festival of feasting and merrymaking, with various temples across the state dedicated to goddess Mahankali preparing to observe grand ceremonies throughout the month of July.

This year, the festivities will be observed on each Sunday of July. The first and the fourth day of the Bonalu festival will be observed by conducting many special offerings to Goddess Yellamma.

Celebrations at Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad and Yellamma temple in Balkampet is scheduled to be held on July 21. Pochamma and Katta Maisamma temple, the Matheswari temple of Lal Darwaza will celebrate Bonalu on July 28.

Bonalu, also known as Ashada Jatara is one of the biggest festivals of Telangana. It is observed once in a year in the Ashadha month of the Hindu calendar. In 2014, the Telangana government declared Bonalu as the state festival.

The term 'Bonalu' has been derived from the Sanskrit term ‘Bhojanam', which translates into food or a feast in Telugu. This food is traditionally kept in a celestial pot which is later offered to the Goddess.

Across Telangana goddess Mahankali is worshipped in various forms during Bonalu including Pochamma, Yellamma, Ankalamma, Peddhamma, Maremma, Dokkalamma, Poleramma, and Nookalamma.

The story behind the festival says that the revered goddess Mahankali visits her maternal home in the month of Ashada. In a bid to showcase their love and respect towards the deity, the local people offer food in pots, bangles, and sarees, apart from traditional song and dance.

Religious ceremonies to be observed during Bonalu in Hyderabad:

On the 1st Sunday: The rituals will be carried out at Sri Jagadamba temple in the Golconda Fort, Telangana.

On The 2nd Sunday: The rituals will be held at Balkampet Yellamma temple in Balkampet and Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad. It is also called "Lashkar Bonalu".

On the 3rd Sunday: The people will conduct prayers at the Pochamma and Katta Maisamma temple in Chilkalguda and the Matheswari temple of Lal Darwaza in the Old City of Hyderabad.

On the 4th Sunday:People observe Bonamjyothi, wherein women cover the pot, place neem leaves on top of them and light a lamp known as the Bonam Jyoti.

Offerings: Women purchase new earthen pots, wash it and cook a mix of rice, curd, water, and jaggery in it. The pot is decorated with a combination of red, white and yellow colours. They apply turmeric and kumkum on the pots, which is then offered to the goddess.