Ashada Bonalu festivities light up Secunderabad’s Ujjaini Mahankali Temple
Hyderabad: Secunderabad buzzed with festive spirit as the historic Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple celebrated Bonalu on Sunday. This event is part of the Ashada Bonalu festival. The festival is seen as a way to thank the Goddess for fulfilling vows. Bonalu is a celebration that honours Kali in her many forms. These include Mysamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Dokkalamma, Pedamma, Poleramma, Ankalamma, Maremma, Nookalamma, and more.
Bonam means meal in Telugu, which is an offering to the Mother Goddess. Women prepare rice that is cooked along with milk and jaggery in a new earthen or brass pot, which is adorned with neem leaves, turmeric, and vermilion. Women carry these pots on their heads. They offer Bonam, which includes bangles and a saree, to the Mother Goddess at temples.
Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy offered silk clothes to Goddess Ujjaini Mahankali. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and his wife offered silk clothes and the first bonam (ritual offering) to Goddess Ujjaini Mahankali on behalf of the Telangana government. The Ujjaini Mahankali Temple, a revered landmark in Secunderabad, attracted thousands of devotees who participated in the rituals with deep devotion. The event marked the continuation of the sacred Ashada Bonalu festival, a significant tradition in Telangana.
After the offerings, special prayers and rituals took place. They aimed to seek Goddess Durga's blessings for good rains, plentiful crops, and the state's well-being. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar extended his greetings to the people, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual importance of the festival.
The minister highlighted the state government’s efforts in ensuring the smooth conduct of the festival. The Ashada Bonalu festivities began with the Golkonda Bonalu on June 26, followed by Sri Renuka Yellamma Kalyanam in Balkampet on July 1.
Ponnam Prabhakar expressed his wishes for the well-being of all citizens and the continued progress of Telangana. "May Goddess Mahankali bless everyone with good health, prosperity, and the state’s development," he said.
