Bonalu
Bonalu is a colorful Hindu festival celebrated with great devotion in Telangana especially in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
The festival dedicated to Goddess Mahakali takes place every year during Ashada Masam which falls in the month of July or August in the Gregorian calendar.
It fills the region with spiritual fervor, colorful parades, and traditional rituals. Deeply rooted in Telangana’s culture,
Bonalu is a time for Thanksgiving and grand festivities,drawing millions of devotees who come together to honor the goddess with offerings and prayers.
The Meaning and Significance of Bonalu
Bonalu comes from the Telugu word Bhojanam, which means a meal or feast. This festival is all about offering a special meal to Goddess Mahakali to thank her for her protection and blessings.
It’s not just a religious event but also a lively cultural celebration with music, dance, and colorful processions. The festival includes Pothuraju, the festival’s guardian, and Ghatam processions, making the celebrations even more exciting.
Historical Origins of Bonalu
The origin of Bonalu goes back to the 18th century during the Hyderabad State Era. A devastating outbreak of plague struck Hyderabad and Secunderabad that took thousands of lives.
A Hyderabad-based military battalion stationed in Ujjain prayed at the Mahakali Temple in Madhya Pradesh, pledging to install a Mahakali idol in their homeland if the plague subsided.
After returning to Hyderabad, they fulfilled their promise by building the Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad and offering Bonalu to the Goddess.
Since then, the tradition has continued, growing into a grand festival across Telangana.
Another belief holds that during Ashada Masam, Goddess Mahakali returns to her parental home, much like a married daughter visiting her parents.
Devotees honor her arrival with grand offerings, joyous celebrations, and devoted worship, making this month especially significant for her followers.
Rituals of Bonalu
The vibrant festival of Bonalu is a sacred celebration filled with rituals dedicated to honoring Goddess Mahakali.
Bonam
A special meal called Bonam which is rice cooked with jaggery, milk, and turmeric is prepared by women.
This is then served in decorated brass or clay pots which are then carried on their heads as offerings to the goddess in the temple.
These Bonam pots are carried on the head and offered at temples dedicated to Goddess Mahakali and her various forms, including Maisamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Peddhamma, Dokkalamma, Ankalamma, Poleramma, Maremma, and Nookalamma.
It is said that the spirit of the goddess posses the women carrying the Bonalu and devotees pour water on their feet to calm the divine energy.
Trance Dance and Drumming
During the festival, some women enter a trance, believed to be a form of divine possession.
They dance to the beats of traditional drums while balancing the Bonam pots on their heads.
The rhythmic drumming and their movements symbolize devotion and the presence of the goddess.
Potharaju
The Goddess's brother known as Potharaju plays a significant role in the celebrations where men dress up as Potharaju and applies turmeric on their bodies and wearing garlands.
They dance energetically, leading the procession to the temple while whipping themselves lightly to showcase their strength and devotion.
Thottelu Offerings
Devotees also offer Thottelu, small colorful paper structures mounted on sticks, as a mark of respect to the goddess.
These are carried in temple processions and are an important part of Bonalu celebrations.
Ghatam Procession
A decorated pot, called Ghatam, represents the goddess and is carried in a procession through the streets before being placed in the temple.
This marks the beginning of the Bonalu celebrations in Secunderabad, known as Edurukolu, symbolizing the homecoming of the goddess.
Animal Sacrifice and Modern Replacements
In the past, a male buffalo was sacrificed in front of the temple to ward off evil spirits.
Today, this has mostly been replaced with the sacrifice of roosters, keeping the tradition alive in a modified form.
Rangam
On the final day of Bonalu, a woman, believed to be possessed by the goddess, predicts the future of the people and the city.
This ritual, known as Rangam, is considered highly significant, as devotees seek guidance and blessings from the goddess.
Ghatam Saganamputa
After Rangam, the final ritual is Ghatam Saganamputa, where the Ghatam is taken in a grand procession and immersed in water, symbolizing the completion of the festival.
Throughout the festival, different temples in Hyderabad and Secunderabad hold their own unique Bonalu celebrations, attracting thousands of devotees who come to seek the goddess’s blessings.
Grand Celebrations Across Telangana
- Bonalu celebrations begin at Golconda Fort on the first Sunday of Ashada Masam, marking the official start of the festival.
- One of the biggest Bonalu celebrations happens at the Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad on the second Sunday.
- On the same day, the Balkampet Yellamma Temple and Gandimaisamma Temple also host grand processions.
- The third Sunday is when temples in Hyderabad’s Old City celebrate Bonalu.
- Important temples include Pochamma and Katta Maisamma (Chilkalguda), Matheswari Temple (Lal Darwaza), Akkanna Madanna Temple (Haribowli), and Muthyalamma Temple (Shah Ali Banda).
- One of the most spectacular events is the Secunderabad Lashkar Bonalu.
- The highlight is the Ghatam, a sacred pot representing the Goddess, which is carried in a grand procession led by priests.
- Government officials and devotees participate in large numbers.
