HYDERABAD: The annual Bonalu festival has begun in Hyderabad with pomp and gaiety. The festival, which is celebrated in honour of Goddess Mahankali, was officially kicked off at Jagadamba Mahankali temple in Golconda on Sunday.
Women made a beeline to offer ‘Bonam’ to the goddess at Golconda Jagadamba Mahankali temple.
The festival is celebrated mainly in Hyderabad and Secunderabad during the month of Ashada (July-August) every year.
In this connection, Deputy Chief Minister, Mahmood Ali, Ministers, Nayini Narasimha Reddy, A Indrakiran Reddy, Talasani Srinivas Yadav, T Padma Rao took part in the celebrations and offered silk clothes to the presiding deity on behalf of the State government.
Led by ‘potharajus’ dancing to the rhythmic drumbeats, women placed the vessel on their heads and offered ‘bonam’ to the goddess Mahankali.
Bonalu festivities start every year at Golconda and will reach the peaks with the celebrations at Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad on July 29 and 30 and Lal Darwaza temple a week thereafter.
The ritual
It is believed that the Goddess comes back to her maternal home during Ashada Masam, so people come to see her and bring offerings of food to show their love, just as they would prepare a special meal when their own daughters visit them. Bonam means a meal offered to the Goddess and women prepare rice cooked together with milk and jaggery in a new earthen pot adorned with neem leaves, turmeric, vermillion and a lighted diya on top.