"Goddess Mahakali" Annoyed Over Corrupt Practices

The two-day Bonalu festival at the Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad ended with the "Rangam" on Monday witnessed by thousands of devotees who thronged the temple.

During the traditional Rangam, standing on a just-made mud pot in front of the Mathangi temple opposite the presiding deity, Swarnalatha, in a trance, ordered her devotees not to do anything without her consent - else, they would have to face her wrath.

"When sins are growing unabated, how can there be rains?" she asked.

Swarnalatha said the selfishness of leaders was adding to the woes of the people. "The leaders should work with spirit of service and sacrifice, but they are drenched in selfishness. They are looting the wealth of the state and even of the temples," she said.

Expressing displeasure over the attitude of the leaders even after the bifurcation of the state, she roared, "The rogues should make amends and reform themselves. How will anything good be possible if the leaders behave like this?"

Later, the deity (idol) was taken on a procession on a decorated elephant. In the devotional atmosphere, folk artistes, Potharajus and devotees danced in ecstasy.

In the evening, the traditional "phalahaaram bandlu" (Ammavaru idols on chariots drawn by sheep) were taken out, and prizes were awarded to the best chariots. (NSS)