Bonalu is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in twin cities Secunderabad / Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana where Goddess Mahankali is worshiped during the Ashada month around July/August.
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.
The word Bonam is a short form of Bhojanam, a Sanskrit word which means meal or a feast in Telugu and is offered to the Goddess.
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.
This festival is considered as the thanksgiving to the Goddess for the wish fulfillmen…