Bonalu 2025 Dates, Importance, and History

About The Festival

People celebrate Bonalu, one of Telangana’s most vibrant and significant festivals, annually with immense devotion and enthusiasm. Dedicated to Goddess Mahakali, it showcases the region’s rich traditions and deep spiritual fervor

The celebrations primarily take place in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, with key areas including Golconda, Balkampet, and the Old City becoming hubs of activity and devotion.

Bonalu is the biggest festival in Telangana and was declared as the state festival by the Government of Telangana in 2014.

Special pujas are performed and the Goddess worshipped in different forms like Maisamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Peddamma, Dokkalamma, Ankalamma, Poleramma, Maremma, Nookalamma, etc.

Significance of Bonalu Festival

The word “Bonalu” derives from “Bhojanalu,” meaning meals or offerings. Devotees prepare and offer a special meal to the goddess as a token of gratitude and devotion. They believe these celebrations invoke the goddess’s blessings for health, prosperity, and protection from evil.

Bonam is a cooked rice with Jaggery and milk prepared in a new brass, earthen pot decorated with neem leaves, turmeric and vermilion (Kumkum). A lamp is lit on top of the pot and is called Bonam Jyoti.

People celebrate Bonalu during Ashada Masam (July-August) according to the Telugu calendar. Each region designates its own date for the festivities, making the celebration unique and spread across the month.

Bonalu 2025 Dates

• Golconda Fort: The festival begins at Golconda Fort, which serves as the inaugural venue. In 2025, it is likely to start on July 13th (Sunday).
• Secunderabad Mahankali Temple: The celebration at Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad follows on July 20th (Sunday).
• Old City (Lal Darwaza and Charminar): The grand finale occurs in the Old City, especially at Lal Darwaza and other temples near Charminar, on July 27th (Sunday).

For Balkampet Yellamma Temple Rathothsavam and Bonalu Dates please visit Balkampet Yellamma Temple Page.

Note: Exact dates may vary based on local announcements.

Popular Temples to Celebrate Bonalu in 2025

Lashkar Bonalu is one of the huge events celebrated for two days, includes the prominent temples in secunderabad like Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Devasthanam, Sri Gandimaisamma temple, Sri Devi Pochamma temple, Sri Muthyalamma temple, Sri Peddamma temple, Sri Dokkalamma temple, and Sri Penugula Mallanna temple.

Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad known as Ashada Jatara Utsavalu also known as Lashkar Bonalu. On Second Sunday of Ashada month, Bonalu is celebrated at Balkampet Yellamma Temple.

Sri Ujjaini Mahakali temple and Sri Devi Pochamma temple are the government temples, officials visit and take part in the celebrations.

Third Sunday, Pochamma and Katta Maisamma temple of chilkalguda and the Mateshwari temple of Lal Darwaza in the old city. Akkanna Madanna temple in Haribowli and Muthyalamma temple in Shah Ali banda are the other temples where bonalu is celebrated.

Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal (Hanamkonda) is also one the best place to celebrate Bonalu.

Bonalu in Sravana Masam

Bonalu is celebrated in the month of Sravanam in certain areas like Gunfoundry, and Kalasiguda.

Gunfoundry Muthyalamma temple has a two century old Tradition which consists of a two days festival. 

• First day is the Thotela yatra, with Bonam given to the deity from various devotees. Followed by the Ghatam yatra and concluding with Ori(village) Bonam by the trustees on behalf of the devotees. 

• Second day, events like Rangam, Kallu Ghatam, Sare Gampa yatra and Garurangam(pothuraju) take place, concluding the event by sending off the Ghatam yatra.

Why Bonalu Festival is celebrated?

According to mythology, during Ashada masam from late June to August, the mother goddess came back to her parents house which makes the best time to offer bonalu to the Goddess. 

This is compared to a married daughter, who returns to her parents house each year for a vacation and is pampered by her parents.

In an another story, 

In the 18th century, in the year 1813, plague broke out in the twin cities and thousands of people were dead.

The military battalion moved to Ujjain from Hyderabad just before the plague, came to know about the epidemic in the city, prayed to the Goddess Mahakali in Ujjain-Madhya Pradesh to kill the plague, in order they would install an idol in the city. 

It is believed that the Goddess killed the disease and kept the plague away. So, the battalion returned to the city and installed the Goddess Mahakali idol in the city by offering Bonalu to her. From then the tradition is followed by most of the people in telangana.

Key Rituals and Highlights of Bonalu

1. Offerings to the Goddess
   Women carry decorated brass pots (Bonam) filled with cooked rice, jaggery, curd, and neem leaves to the temples. These offerings are placed before the deity as a gesture of gratitude.
2. Pothuraju Processions
   The brother of the goddess, known as Pothuraju, leads vibrant processions, dancing energetically to the beats of traditional drums. His dramatic appearance and fierce dance add a dynamic element to the festival.
3. Decorations and Rituals
   Temples are beautifully decorated with flowers and lights. Devotees perform special rituals, including Kavadi dances and singing devotional songs to praise the goddess.
4. Rangam (Oracle Predictions)
   Woman dressed as the goddess makes predictions about the region’s future on the final day. This tradition, known as Rangam, is deeply revered by devotees.
5. Ghatam: It is last yatra. Ghatam is the pot decorated like a goddess, carried by the priest, dressed in a traditional dhoti whose body is rubbed with the turmeric and then finally the pot is immersed in the water followed by the drum beats. 

Usually, Ghatam is taken on the elephants and the whole yatra will end in the evening with a glittering yatra and display of much pomp and show followed by immersion of Ghatams at Nayapul.

Celebrations in Hyderabad & Secunderabad

• Golconda Fort: The festival begins here, with the fort illuminated and devotees gathering for prayers.
• Secunderabad Mahankali Temple: The temple becomes the center of massive celebrations, drawing large crowds for the grand procession and pujas.
• Balkampet Yellamma Temple: Known for its spiritual importance, Balkampet attracts devotees offering Bonams and participating in special rituals.
• Old City: The historic Lal Darwaza Temple and surrounding areas like Charminar host spectacular processions, where the city’s culture comes alive in vibrant hues.

Cultural Importance of Bonalu

Bonalu is not just a religious event but a cultural extravaganza that brings people together. It showcases Telangana’s traditional music, dance, and attire. The spirit of devotion fills the streets, making it a festival that deeply resonates with the community.