Bonalu

Bonalu
Women with Bonam performing parikrama
Official nameBonalu
Observed byTelangana
TypeFestival of Deccan Shakti-Shaivite tradition. It is a cultural tradition of regional village Goddesses called Grama Shakti
CelebrationsOn Sundays
ObservancesOffering to the Goddess
BeginsAshada masam (July/August)
FrequencyAnnual

Bonalu( Telugu: బోనాలు) is a traditional Hindu festival centered on the Goddess Mahakali from Telangana.[1] This festival is celebrated annually in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as well as in other parts of the state.[2] It is celebrated in the month of Ashada Masam, which is around July and/or August. Special "poojas" (worship/ ceremonies) are performed for Yellamma (one of the many regional forms of Mahakali) on the first and last day of the festival.[3] The festival is also considered a thanksgiving to the Goddess for fulfillment of vows.[4]

The word Bonam is a contraction of the word Bhojanam, a Sanskrit loanword which means a meal or a feast in Telugu. It is an offering to the Mother Goddess. Women prepare rice cooked with milk and jaggery in a new brass or earthen pot adorned with neem leaves, turmeric, vermilion and a lit lamp on top of the pot. Women carry the pots on their heads and make an offering of the Bonam along with turmeric-vermilion, bangles and sari to the Mother Goddess across the temples.[2]

Bonalu involves the worship of Mother Goddess in regional forms like Maisamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Peddhamma, Dokkalamma, Ankalamma, Poleramma, Maremma, Nookalamma.

  1. ^ Telangana state portal Language and Culture
  2. ^ a b Reddy, Suhasini (20 July 2019). "BONALU Celebrations started in Telangana State with Gaiety". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  3. ^ "The Hindu : The spirit of 'Bonalu'". Archived from the original on 27 February 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "Bonalu Festival 2019: Vibrant Pictures From the Thanksgiving Festival". News18. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2020.