Ujjain Mahakali Bonalu Celebrated In Secunderabad

The Ujjain Mahakali Bonalu festival was held with grandeur in Secunderabad.

Many celebrities and devotees visited the temple, performed special pujas and offered plants to the goddess.

As in every year, devotee Matangi Swarnalatha performed the traditional Rangam - a fortune-telling ritual - amid the presence of large crowds, which included minister Ponnam Prabhakar.

Standing on a green pot before the goddess and popularly considered possessed by the goddess during this ritual, Swarnalatha predicted that there would be good rainfall this year.

"This year, rains will certainly fall. I will ensure abundant dairy crops. But all my pujas must be performed properly. You keep asking, and yet you don't offer. Devotees, please me with dal, saka, and turmeric for five weeks. I am Mahankali - I will turn whatever you ask for into gold. But if I am not worshipped properly, I will die of blood loss. That is why deaths are increasing. I will not hold back on this. They are even preventing me from having my image displayed. I want a blood sacrifice. Show me blood, or there will be chaos," she said.

She added, "A pandemic will strike again - everyone must be cautious. Follow what needs to be followed. Fire accidents will also occur. I am warning you in advance. I will however stand with everyone who worships me, the prophet. It is my duty to protect the State and the country."

Following the ritual, a grand procession of the goddess was held. And a traditional Palamaram Bandla procession took place in the evening. A 33-year-old female elephant named Lakshmi was brought from the Sri Karibasava Swamy Mutt in Tumkur, Karnataka, to participate in the procession. Officials had transported the elephant to Telangana on the 12th of this month, following all the necessary precautions in compliance with forest department regulations.