“Bonalu”, the most important festival in Telangana region, especially in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, commenced on Sunday at the Jagadambika temple atop the historic Golconda Fort.
This year’s Bonalu festival has special significance as the festival was declared as State festival. On the occasion, Telangana Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy presented “Pattu Vastrams” (silk robes) to Golconda Mahankali Ammavaru. As part of beginning of the festival, “Thottela” from Langar Houz was taken in a procession to the Golconda temple.
Traditionally, Bonalu also called as Ashada Jatara, is an annual Hindu festival, which begins from the very first day of Telugu calendar month of Ashadam. Goddess Mahakali is worshipped during the month since the erstwhile Hyderabad State. The Bonalu will be held in the temple of Ujjaini Mahakali temple in Secunderabad on the second Sunday. Similarly, the festival will be held on a grand scale in Old Hyderabad city especially at Lal Darwaza on the third Sunday. Devotees from all parts of Telangana State pour into the twin cities to participate in the boisterous festival.
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhara Rao greeted the people on the occasion of commencement of the festival on Sunday. It may be mentioned here that the Telangana government has already declared the festival as a State function fulfilling the longstanding demand of the people of Telangana.
On the occasion of festival, women prepare rice cooked with milk and jaggery in a new brass or an earthen pot. The meaning of Bonam is meals.
—————————–(NSS)