The Festival of Bonalu

Introduction

Bonalu is a famous festival of Hyderabad, Secunderabad and other parts of Telangana.  Especially Hyderabad, Secunderabad and outer parts of Hyderabad are famous for celebrations of Bonalu. This starts usually in the month July or in the Hindu month Ashada Masam and ends by August or the Hindu month Shravana Masam.  The festival of Bonalu first starts from Golkonda in the starting of Ashada Masam, later this festival is celebrated in Secunderabad and Hyderabad, eventually celebrated in all parts of Telangana by the end of Shravana Masam.

How Bonalu is Celebrated?

Bonalu is a special festival for women, they get ready traditionally and wear traditional clothes, wear colourful bangles and decorate houses with colourful flowers, specially Neem leaves and Mango leaves are used to decorate houses.  On this day all the family members will gather and celebrate this festival.

Goddess Mahakali is worshipped as Mahankali, Yellamma, Pochamma, Nalla Pochamma, Peddamma, Gandi Maisamma, Maisamma, Nookaalamma, Ankalamma, Katta Maisamma, Peddamma thalli and Ujjaini Mahankali etc.  This festival is celebrated as thanksgiving to the goddess after fulfilment of their wish.  On this day women prepare rice with Milk and Jaggery in a new earthen pot. After preparation of rice the pot is decorated colourfully and then adorned with neem leaves, and covered with an earthen lid which carries a light made with cotton burns with oil.  Women carry this well decorated rice filled pot on their heads from home to the Temple of Goddess. This complete setup is generally called Bonam.  Bonam is mainly decorated with turmeric powder and vermilion.  After visiting the Temple this Bonam is presented to the Goddess.

The History of the Bonalu

The festival of Bonalu is known to have started in 1813 in Hyderabad and Secunderabad region.  This festival started when Plague had broken out in twin cities which caused thousands of deaths in twin cities.  Then a military battalion from Hyderabad deployed to Ujjain and was concerned about the Plague in the city.   The military battalion offered prayer to Mother Goddess at Mahakaali Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.  Due Mother goddess Mahakaali's kindness the people got relieved from the pandemic, and decided to install the idol of Mahakaali and construct the temple in Secunderabad.  After coming back from Ujjain, the military battalion constructed Mahakaali temple in Secunderabad, which is now famously known as Ujjaini Mahankaali temple. Then started celebrating the festival of Bonalu as per promise to Mahakaali.

How does the Festival of Bonalu start?

Bonalu is celebrated in all parts of Hyderabad.  On the first Sunday of Ashaadam, celebrations began at Golconda Fort and followed by Ujjaini Mahakaali Temple and Balkampet Yellamma Temple of secunderabad on the next Sunday of Ashaadam.  In all other parts like Lal Darwaza, Shalibanda, Chikakguda, Amberpet, Old city etc. of Hyderabad the celebrations will be held on the third Sunday of Ashaadam. 

Pothuraju   

The main attraction of this festival is Pothuraju.  Pothuraju is considered as the brother of Mother Goddess.  Pothuraju is represented by a bare body and well built man, who wears a small tightly weared red dhoti and wears bells near the ankles.  Total body of the pothuraju is applied with turmeric powder on his body and vermilion on his forehead, appear in yellow.  Pothuraju dances to the sounds and drums while holding a long rope in his hands.  

Ghatam

Ghatam is one more attraction during Bonalu.  Ghatam is a copper pot which is decorated with Goddess photos, colourful papers and others, and is carried by priests.  The procession of Ghatam will be held on the last day of the festival.  The Ghatam of Akkanna Madanna Temple in Haribowli leads the procession, and is placed on an elephant and accompanied by mounted horses and models.  The procession of this Ghatam ends in the evening at the Nayapool.  The Ghatam of Mahakaali temple is also famous in the city. 

Bhavishyavaani

Bhavishyavaani is one more important occasion in secunderabad Mahakaali temple.  Mathangi Swarnalatha explains the bhavishyavani of the year by having turmeric powder on body and vermilion on her forehead.  While explaining Bhavishyavaani she stands on a wet pot and explains about Bhavishyavaani behalf of the Mahakaali.