Festival Of Telangana Bonalu
Bonalu is the Hindu festival, in which the goddess Mahakali is prayed. It is an annual festival of state “Telangana”, whereas the ceremony will take place in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Warangal, and other parts of the State. Bonalu is the State festival of Telangana.
In the month of July/August, every year the Celebration of Bonalu festival begins. It marks the beginning of Ashada Masam. Exclusive poojas are practiced for goddess Yellamma during the first and last day of the festival.
Bonalu Festival History
Festival Of Telangana BonaluThe origin of this Bonalu festival traces back to the 17th Century and is connected with the “Regimental Bazaar” and the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
In the year 1833, severe plague disease bust out in the 2 cities, and this took away the lives of many people. The Plague started becoming dangerous then originated the belief that the Plague was a curse by the Mother Goddess – Mahakali and she was riled(angered) at the locals.
It is considered that Mahakali destroys the disease (illness) and then, the locals returned to the city & installed an idol of the goddess Mahakali, which was followed by the gift of Bonalu to her.
Hence, from then, this had turned out to be a culture, which is still being pursued by all the people belonging to Telangana. People started offering their prayers and food (Bhojanalu- Bonalu) to please the goddess so she would rid them of the disease and illness.
The Role of Food in Festival Of Telangana Bonalu
Food plays a leading part in the festival. From the snacks sold on the road in the form of Prasadam to the animals sacrificed to the goddess which are later enjoyed by the families as a nonvegetarian meal. It is a celebration of acknowledgment and food for the Telangana locals.
Bonalu Celebration in Hyderabad City:
- a) The festival is celebrated across Hyderabad in all of the 18 temples, part of the Old City.
- b) The first major festival is held on the first Sunday of the Ashada month at the Sri Jagadamba temple in Golconda Fort, the next vital festival is celebrated on the second Sunday at the Ujjain Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad and the third main festival celebrated on the third Sunday at the Matheswari Temple of Laldarwaja.
These rituals are also performed for other shrines of Goddess Shakti in the twin cities
Bonalu Festival Dates in 2019
Here is the list of dates of the Bonalu festival
- A) July 19 – The Bonalu Jatara 2019 will begin by offering ‘Bonam’ at Golconda Jagadamba Temple(regional holiday)
- B) July 22 – Bonam will be offered to Goddess Durga in Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple.
- C) July 29 – Bonalu at the Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad.
- D) July 30 – ‘Rangam’ and ‘Phalaharam’.
- E) July – ‘Bonalu’ in Old City
- F) August 5th – Concluding ceremony.
Conclusion of Festival Bonalu
This festival is celebrated every year by the people of Telangana it is a very important regional festival celebrated by thousands of local people. Roads are full of devotes of Mahakali. There are lots of people who come from around the world to see this celebration. This festival ensures the safety of locals by any type of plague, disease, etc.
