Bringing in the festivities of bonalu

Bonalu is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Telangana where Goddess Mahakali is worshiped. Bonalu involves the worshipping of the Goddess and her various forms namely Mysamma Pochamma,Yellamma, Pedamma, Dokkalamma, Ankalamma, Poleramma, Maremma, Nookalamma and many more. The celebration which is considered a thanksgiving to Goddess starts in the month of Ashada Masam and ends in Sravanamasam where the people of the state involve themselves with all their zeal and look forward to it.

Spread over a month, each of the Sundays, Bonalu has a special venue. Pothuraju, the brother of Mother Goddess is represented in the pageant by a well-built, bare-bodied man, wearing a small firmly draped red dothi and bells on his ankles, and anointed with turmeric on his body and vermilion on his forehead who dances to resounding drums holding a rope.

Women prepare cooked rice with milk, jaggery in a new brass and earthen pot decorated with neem leaves, tumeric, vermilion and decorate the top of the pot with diyas. Then they carry these pots on their head and make offering of Bonam and take three pradakshanas. The procession of these women is often led by dancing men, performers, artistes and drummers.

Bonalu procession reached Indrakeeladri on Sunday as per tradition. About three hundred devotees from various parts of Hyderabad brought offerings to Goddess Kanaka Durga. Folk artistes performed Bethala dance during the colourful procession organised by Sri Mahankali Bonala Jathara Utsavala Ummadi Devalayala Uregimpu Committee.

Gaiety and festive fervour marked the occasion. The committee members and devotees worshipped the Goddess and sought Her blessings for the prosperity of Telugu speaking people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Committee president, Ale Bhasker Raaj, presented silk clothes to the Goddess.