Bonalu: KCR Prays At Mahankali Temple In Old City

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao on Sunday presented "Bangaru Bonam" and "Pattu Vastrams" to the Mahankali Ammavaru Temple at Lal Darwaza in the Old City on behalf of the State Government on the occasion of Bonalu.

The Chief Minister also prayed at the Akkanna-Madanna temple at Hari Bowli.

Speaking on the occasion, KCR greeted the people of Telangana, and appealed to them to pray for the development of the State.

He said that the TRS government had made the Bonalu a State festival.

He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali, Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy and other leaders.

Those who offerred puja (prayers) at the Mahankali Ammavaru Temple included CLP leader K Jana Reddy, Secunderabad MP Bandaru Dattatreya, TDP deputy floor leader Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Goshamahal MLA D Raja Singh and others.

Bonalu is an annual festival celebrated throughout the Telangana region, especially in the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad. Bonalu or Mahankali Bonalu Jatara is a thanksgiving festival dedicated to goddess Mahankali, who is also worshipped as Maisamma, Yellamma (Renuka Mata), Pochamma, Peddamma, Poleramma, Maramma and Ankalamma.

'Bonam' means 'Bhojanaalu' or 'meal' in Telugu, and is an offering to the goddess. During the festival, women bring their offerings in clay pots decorated with colours, neem leaves and a diya on the top. They carry the pots on their head and proceed towards a Kali temple from their homes, and perform some special poojas to offer 'bonam' to the Goddess.

The offerings consist of cooked rice, jaggery, curd, water (known as Bonam) and other dishes, which are brought in the pots and are given to the goddesses in the temples.

It is believed that the offerings ward off evils and epidemics during the monsoon.

In 1869, when plague hit the city of Hyderabad, people thought the epidemic was a result of the goddess' anger, and initiated the Bonalu festival to pacify her.

The Bonalu procession is highly colorful, and is accompanied by thousands of people and includes Potharaju (a well-built man). People also depict various scenes from the Puranas, especially those associated with the goddess Kali's legend. (INN)