Bonalu: Bonalu is a festival that is celebrated during Aashadam month between July and August. This year, the festival celebrations are going to start on 3 July 2024 and end up on 24 July 2024. Goddess Yellamma is the chief deity who is worshipped during the first and last days of the festival.
Bonalu Festival 2024: Date and Time
Bonalu festival is celebrated during the Aashadha month as per the Hindu calendar. Bonalu 2024 is going to be observed from 3-24 July 2024.
Bonalu Festival 2024: Puja Rituals, Worship Method
Women who carry Bonalu, almost seem possessed by the Yellamma Goddess and because of this reason, devotees wash their feet to pacify the Goddess.
Pothuraju is a proverbial brother of the goddess. He is represented by a well-built man in colorful folk attire. He dances to the beat of the drums. Rangam is conducted the next day morning. During this event, the essence of the Goddess is believed to enter the devotee and she answers all the questions related t the year ahead.
Ghatam or copper pot is decorated to look like a mother goddess and carried by the chief priest. Ghatams will arrive from all the temples in a similar manner wherein the leading ghatam belongs to the Akkanna Madanna Temple, Hari Bowli, and the immersion of ghatam is done in Nayapul.
Bonalu Festival 2024: History and Significance
Once upon a time, Plague had broken out in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad in the year 1813. The military battalion from Hyderabad arrived in Ujjain and offered prayers to Mahakali, Ujjain to end the menace in Hyderabad. They took a pledge to install the Mahakali idol in Secunderabad if the people get rid of all ill effects.
The epidemic resolved on its own and the battalion came back with a Mahakali idol to Secunderabad from then onwards, the tradition of offering Bonalu has been started.
Bonalu Festival: Celebrations
Celebrations begin as per the traditions, the Bonalu festival is observed at Golconda Fort on the first Sunday of Aashaada month. The next day, it continues in Ujjain Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad and Balkampet Yellamma Temple. On the third Sunday, the ceremonies commence at the Pochamma and Katta Maisamma Temple, Chilkalguda, and the Matheswari Temple, Lal Darwaza.
