Lashkar-Patnam Bonalu...


About Bonalu
Bonalu (బోనాలు) is a term derived from “bhonam” (Bhojanalu Tel: భోజనాలు). On these days a Traditional Meal is offered to Mother Goddess (అమ్మవారు). This festival is very famous in Twin cities of Hyderabad – Secunderabad and many parts of telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. Festival is celebrated during Ashadam (june/july), Women from each home carry a Bonam to offer it to the Goddess with great devotion for her blessings to look after the world with care.
Hyderabad bonalu Lal darwaza
Hyderabad Lal Darwaza Bonalu.

Bonam and its speciality
Bonam is prepared with the most common south Indian ingredients. A medium sized earthen pot is decorated with Turmeric (పసుపు), KumKum (కుంకుమ), KADI. A white thread with mango leaves is tied around the neck of pot, and carries neem leaves in hand. The pot contents cooked rice, with turmeric, oil and some other cooking ingredients. Another pot a bit smaller contains water kept over the main pot; both pots are carried on head from starting at home to temple. This is due to respecting the basic requirement and also it is believed that these pots are filled with powers.

While carrying, women dance with spiritual feeling and mood. Dance is rhythmically to the drum beats, also a person with strange costumes called Pothuraju (usually referred as brother of Goddess) dances in temple premises.
Pothuraju bonala dance
Pothuraju bonala dance
History
Hyderabad-secunderabad twin cities have historic significance of this festival. During Nizam’s rule 1860-70’s an unknown disease spread across the places and resulted in huge loss of life. Then people started believing that situation is due to ire of Goddess, then immediately began worshipping Goddess to show pity and cure them.

Cholera broke out in twin cities during 18th century AD making dreadful deaths in thousands. A ‘doli’ Bearer Suriti Appaiah of local, used to be in military was moved to Ujjain as a part of military job. By knowing this, along with his associates went to Ujjaini Mahankali temple prayed with great devotion. This disease has started vanishing slowly and was happy. Also promised an idol would be installed in the city and fulfilled it in 1815 by installing an idol in Secunderabad as soon as returned. Originally which was made of wooden replaced with rock statue in 1964. Tradition continued to celebrate every year.

Local festival 
Unlike other festivals, Bonalu is celebration starts only based on the first Sunday of Aashadam at Golconda and every Sunday till end of Aashadam in different places. Goddess Shakti or Kali is popularly known with various names as Yellamma, Pochamma, Renuka Amma, Peddamma, Mysamma, Poleramma, Ankalamma and Maramma who gives strength and cures many diseases. Pothuraju is considered to be the evil destroyer.

Outside the temple devotees sacrifice Hen or goat, so that blood makes the evil spirits to calm down. Also believed that women carrying Bonam posses the spirit of Goddess.

First Sunday: Celebrations starts and held’s at Sri Jagdamba Mahankali temple in Golconda. Huge devotees visit to participate in event. Along with common people, politicians, celebrities also offer Bonam. Minister of endowment dept offers “Pattu Vasthralu” (silk clothes) to the deity on behalf of Government.
Golconda Sri jagadambha Mahakali Temple
Golconda Sri jagadambha Mahakali Temple
Second Sunday: Ujjain Mahankali temple in Secunderabad, people visits in such a way that roads will be blocked. This festival at secunderabad Ujjain Mahankali temple is also known as “lashkar Bonalu”.
Ujjain mahankali temple bonalu Secunderabad
Ujjain mahankali temple bonalu Secunderabad
Third Sunday: The Matheswari temple of Lal Darwaza in Old City. A special security is arranged to avoid anti social elements, as it is a sensitive place. This festival at Matheswari temple of Lal Darwaza temple is also known as “Patnam Bonalu”.
Balkampet Ellamma temple is also famous for Bonalu. As per mythology, Mother goddess self established in a well. Now a great temple constructed over the well.
Yellamma temple bonalu balkampet
Yellamma temple bonalu balkampet

Rangam
Rangam (Forecasting of the Future), women filled with Goddess spirits standing on wet clay pot tells the fortune of the place for the current year. It took place on next day of the festival.

Ghatam
Ghatam is a copper pot which is decorated in the form of Mother Goddess, carried by preist. It is taken out of water on the first day of festival and kept for worshipping till the end of festival days. This precession is accompanied by drums.

Ghatam is immersed on the last day of festival. Ghatam is placed on elephants top during procession. This is a carnival to the people of Hyderabad secunderabad.

The list of Ghatams procession
The Mahankali temples in Haribowli Akkanna-Madanna
Laldarwaza, Uppuguda, Miralam Mandi and Kasaratta
The Jagadamba temple of Sultanshahi
Bangaru Mysamma temple of Shalibanda, Alijah Kotla and Gowlipura
Sultanshahi, Darbar Mysamma of Aliabad
Mutyalamma temple of Chandulal Bela.

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