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Bonalu is a popular Hindu festival that is celebrated in Telangana and honours the Goddess Mahakali. This event is held every year in both the cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as well as other regions of the state. It is celebrated throughout the month of Ashada Masam, which falls between July and August. This year, Bonalu festival began on 7th July 2024 and will be celebrated till 4th August 2024.

Bonalu 2024: Start And End Date

- Bonalu 2024 Start Date: 7th July 2024, Sunday

- Bonalu 2024 End Date: 4th August 2024, Sunday

Bonalu 2024: Interesting Facts About This Festival

- The first and last days of the festival feature special "poojas" for Yellamma (one of Mahakali's various regional forms). The celebration is also considered an expression of gratitude to the Goddess for fulfilling wishes.

- The term Bhojanam, a Sanskrit loanword that means "meal" or "feast" in Telugu, is contracted to become Bonam. It's a sacrifice made to Mother Goddess. In a fresh brass or clay pot ornamented with neem leaves, turmeric, and vermilion, as well as a lighted lamp on top, women boil rice with milk and jaggery. Carrying the pots on their heads, women present the Bonam, bangles, sari, and turmeric vermilion to the Mother Goddess at various temples.

- Mother Goddesses such as Maisamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Peddhamma, Dokkalamma, Ankalamma, Poleramma, Maremma, and Nookalamma are worshipped in Bonalu.

Bonalu is a significant religious and cultural festival dedicated to the worship of Mahakali. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) 

- The twin cities commemorate Bonalu in different ways. On the first Sunday of Aashadham, Hyderabad celebrates with festivities at the Jagadamba temple located in Golconda Fort. The second Sunday will be spent at the Yellamma temple in Balkampet, the Ujjaini Mahakali temple, and the Gandimaisamma temple in Regimental Bazar in Secunderabad. The third Sunday will be spent at the Matheswari temple of Lal Darwaza in the Old City of Hyderabad, as well as the Pochamma and Katta Maisamma temple in Chilkalguda.

- Other temples where Bonalu is honoured are the Akkanna Madanna temple in Haribowli and the Muthyalamma temple in Shah Ali Banda. Thousands of worshippers gather annually to offer tributes to Mahakali.

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- Women dress up for this important event by donning traditional saris, jewellery, and other accessories. In homage to the native deity, some tranced ladies dance while balancing pots, or bonam, to the drumbeats. In the past, people would sacrifice a male buffalo in front of the temple to fend off bad spirits. These days, roosters are sacrificed in its stead.

- It is believed that women carrying Bonalu are carrying the violent spirit of Mother Goddess and that when these women approach the temple, people wet their feet to appease the spirit.

 

 

(Disclaimer: This is based on general public information. Jagran English does not confirm its veracity. Before adopting any measures, consult an expert from the relevant field.)