KCR worships at Mahankali Temple in Old City

Hyderabad, July 20 : Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao on Sunday presented “Bangaru Bonam” and “Pattu Vastrams” to Mahankali Ammavaru Temple at Lal Darwaza in the Old City on behalf of the State Government on the occasion of Bonalu festival.

The Chief Minister also prayed at Akkanna-Madanna temple at Hari Bowli. Speaking on the occasion, KCR greeted people and appealed to them to pray for the development of Telangana. He said that the TRS Government has made the Bonalu a State festival. He was accompanied with Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali, Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy and other leaders.

Those who offerred puja at Mahankali Ammavaru Temple include CLP leader K. Jana Reddy, Secunderabad MP Bandaru Dattatreyya, TDP deputy floor leader Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Goshamahal MLA D Raja Singh and others.

Bonalu is an annual festival celebrated throughout the Telangana region, especially in the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad. Bonalu or Mahankali Bonalu Jatara is a thanks giving festival dedicated to Goddess Mahankali, who is also worshipped as Maisamma, Yellamma (Renuka Mata), Pochamma, Peddamma, Poleramma, Maramma, and Ankalamma.

‘Bonam’ means ‘Bojanaalu’ or ‘meal’ in Telugu, and is an offering to Mahankali. During the festival, women bring their offerings in clay pots decorated with colours, neem leaves and a diya on the top. They carry the pots on their head and proceed towards a Kali temple from their homes, and perform some special poojas to offer ‘bonam’ to the Goddess.

The offerings consist of cooked rice, jaggery, curd, water (known as Bonam) and other dishes which are brought in the pots and are given to the Goddesses in the temples. It is believed that the offerings ward off evils and epidemics during monsoon.

In 1869, when plague hit the city of Hyderabad, people thought the epidemic was a result of the Goddess’ anger, and initiated the Bonalu festival to pacify the goddess.

The Bonalu procession is highly colorful and is accompanied thousands of people and includes Potharaju (a well built man) and people also depict various scenes from Puranas especially those associated with the Goddess Kali legend.  INN