Bonalu

Bonalu festival is a prominent one in the Telangana region of the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. This regional festival is an exploration of unique culture of the southern part of the Indian subcontinent where women keep performing Parikrama during the Bonalu festival. It remains a specialized Hindu festival with its approach differing due to regional traditions applicable to practice typical religious festival.

History

It was in the year 1813 that Bonalu festival started in Hyderabad and Secunderabad cities of Andhra region. As the myth still prevails this festival was to please Goddess Mahakali to save people from the breakout of plague which had already claimed more than hundreds of thousands of lives at that time. It was from then that most of the believers follow a tradition of offering food to Mother Goddess to lessen her anger and to bestow her kindness.

Worshipping Goddess Kali in various forms has remained common tradition in the Indian subcontinent since time immemorial. Bonalu is one such Hindu religions festival that solely dedicates to Goddess Kali. It is celebrated in typical south Indian style and so does it differ from the rest Goddess Kali pujas usually performed in the rest parts of the country—especially in northern regions.

Usually the celebration of Bonalu starts during the regional Ashada masam occasion that corresponds to the July/August months of Gregorian calendar. It remains one of the key festivals in the Andhra region. It is very much popular in the urban, semi urban and rural areas. As Telugu word Bonam indicates Bojanaalu or a meal, the festival of Bonalu remains an offering to the Goddess Kali.

Celebrations

Key attractions during Bonalu festival are that followers of Goddess kali observe various types of spiritual programs. They arrange the offering to Goddess on this occasion to please Goddess of Power—kali, also denoted with Mahakali. Good chunk of celebrators arrive the state’s twin city cum capital Hyderabad and Secunderabad to make this occasion completely meaningful. Good chunk of followers of Goddess Kali celebrate Bonalu festival in the Telangana and Rayalaseema regions of this state as well. They involve in various activities including observing additional pujas and special prayers on this occasion. As denoted with Yellamma, the Goddess Kali is worshipped on the first and the last day of this festival to turn it a truly successful occasion to please the Goddess of Power—Mahakali.

The attraction of Bonalu festival remains it considered as an occasion when women adorn their items with the tiny neem branches and turmeric. They use vermilion or kumkum and Kadi or white chalk besides keeping a lamp on the top of copper plate which contains rice as an offering to the Goddess Kali. They follow the local culture and tradition of carrying such pots on their heads. It remains unique feeling to see these women carrying the puja items to the Goddess temple from their homes. Men and drummers keep dancing while women reach the respective temples.

Golconda Mahakali is a place from where Bonalu festival begins. It continues till the Ujjaini Mahakali Temple or Lashkar Bonalu, Balkampet Yellamma Temple in the Secunderabad and old city area of Hyderabad. Wearing silk sari and jewelries are the common practices which women do while they carry the puja thali. The activities are Rangam or forecasting of future, Ghatam in the copper plate to carry items for worship and rest activities.

Importance of Festival

It goes without saying that Bonalu festival is power worship in the form of pleasing the Goddess Mahakali. The occasion is actually an attempt to please Goddess Kali by an act of thanksgiving due to the several vow fulfillments for which all followers pray on this occasion. The importance of this festival is very much associated with the women worshippers who pray to the Goddess Kali through offering cooked rice with milk, sugar and onions in a copper, brass or earthen pot.

The temples where Bonalu festival gets organized are denoted with multiple names. Some common names are temples of Mysamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Pedamma, Dokkalamma, Ankalamma, Poleramma, Maremma, Pochamme, Maramma, Yellammma and Nookalamma et al. Typical bunting and festoon illumination define much about local traditions while Bonalu festival is celebrated in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh since long.

Photo Gallery