VIJAYAWADA: Wishing fulfilment of SCS promise for Andhra Pradesh and prosperity to the two Telugu-speaking states, the Bhagyanagar Sri Mahankali Jatara Bonala Utsava committee offered ‘golden bonam’ and silk clothes to Goddess Kanaka Durga on Sunday morning.
It may be recalled that the committee has been offering ‘bonam’ to Goddess Kanaka Durga for the past 10 years.
The committee members arrived with devotees and artistes from Telangana and performed ‘Ganga teppa puja’ at Durga ghat on Sunday. As part of the tradition, the devotees took out a procession from the Brahmin Street to the temple premises with ‘potharajus’ dancing to the rhythmic drum beats by wearing vermilion and turmeric on their faces, drawing attention of all.
Women devotees thronged the temple carrying the traditional ‘bonam’, which is rice cooked with milk and jaggery, on their heads. After the procession, they offered ‘bonalu’ and silk clothes to the goddess atop Indrakeeladri.
The festival is conducted in the month ‘Ashada Masam’, in July/August, to seek the blessings of the goddess. The temple authorities received the committee members with traditional honours.
Speaking on the occasion, the president of the committee, Gaajula Anjayya, said the body has been following the tradition to offer ‘bonalu’ to the Goddess Kanaka Durga before commencement of the ‘bonam’ festival in Telangana. He also wished the state of Andhra get the special category status as was promised at the time of state bifurcation.
“Though the State was divided into two, we are still like a family. AP should get the SCS so that there can be industrial development here and growth in employment opportunities for the youth. Our committee has been following the tradition to offer bonalu and silk clothes to the Kanaka Durga Temple for many years and we will continue it,” he said.
M Padma, the temple executive officer, lauded the committee’s initiative of promoting the message of brotherhood stating that every Telugu is culturally united.