The Auspicious “Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu” is going to start from today. The Ashada Jathara will begin today and Rangam will start tomorrow which is scheduled by the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Matha Devasthanam, Secunderabad. Here is a brief on how the rituals takes place on Bonalu festival.
Origin of Bonalu: In the year 1813, plague disease broke out in the twin cities, and this took away the lives of thousands of people. Just before this, a military battalion from Hyderabad was deployed to Ujjain in which one Suriti Appaiah, a Doli Bearer was also there. When this Hyderabadi Military Battalion got to know about the epidemic in the cities, they prayed to the Mother Goddess in Mahankali Temple - Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. History tells us, that this military battalion prayed to Goddess Mahankaali, to kill plague, and if the Goddess would do so, when they returned Sri Suriti Appaiah and his associates had installed the idol of Goddess Mahankali made of wood at Secunderabad in July 1815.
It is believed that Mahankaali destroyed the disease and kept pestilence at arms length. Then, the military battalion returned to the city & installed an idol of the goddess, which was followed by the offering of Bonalu to her. During construction of sanctum sanctorum, a stone idol named as Manikyalamma was found and the said idol was also installed besides Sri Mahakali Ammavaru.
The Rituals: Bonalu is celebrated in various parts of the city. On the first Sunday of ‘Aashaadam’, celebrations are held at the temple at Golconda Fort. On the second Sunday, at Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad and Balkampet Yellamma temple, and the third Sunday, at The pochamma and Katta Maisamma temple of Chilkalguda and the Matheswari temple of Lal Darwaza in Old City of Hyderabad. Akkanna Madanna temple in Haribowli, Muthyalamma temple in Shah Ali Banda are among the other temples where Bonalu are celebrated. Every year, Lakhs of devotees congregate to pay obeisance to Mahankali.
Ashada Jathara: The word Bonam is a derived from the word Bhojanam (a Sanskrit loan word) which means a meal Telugu, is an Offering to Mother Goddess. Women prepare rice cooked with Milk, Jaggery in a New Brass or Earthen Pot adorned with Neem Leaves,Turmeric,Vermilion and a lit lamp on the top of the Pot. Women carry the pots on their heads and make offering of Bonam along with Turmeric-Vermilion, Bangles and Saree to the Mother Goddess across the Temples.
Rangam: Rangam or Performing the Oracle, is held the next morning of the festival. A Women standing atop of an earthen pot invoked goddess Mahankali onto her and performs the custom. She foretells the year ahead when devotees ask about the future. This takes place before the procession is started
Ghatam: Ghatam is followed after Rangam. The festival concludes with immersion of Ghatam. Ghatam is a copper pot, decorated in the form of mother goddess. The Ghatam is carried by a priest, who wears a traditional Dhoti and body with smeared in turmeric. The Ghatam is taken into procession from first day of the festival till last day, when it is finally immersed in water.
