Sunday 5 July 2015

Bonalu Festival(Ashada Jatara) dates 2015 in Secunderabad & Hyderabad, Telangana State

Bonalu is a Hindu Festival which is being celebrated in twin cities of Hyderabad, Secunderabad and in some parts of Telangana State, India.Goddess Mahankali is Worshipped during the festival days. The festival is observed on the Sundays and Mondays in Ashada Masam(July/August). The Bonalu Festival is also known as 'Ashada Jatara'. The Telangana Government declared the 'Bonalu Festival' as 'State Festival'.

In this year 2015, the Bonalu Festival will be celebrated during the period from August 2, 2015(Sunday) to August 25, 2015(Tuesday) in all the Goddess Temples across the Capital City of Telangana.

It is an ongoing tradition to celebrate this festival majorly at Mahankali Temple, Secunderabad, Sri Mahankali Temple, Laldarwaza, Old City and at Golconda area.
Important Bonalu Festival 2015 Temple Locations Name of the Bonalu Festival Bonalu Festival Date 2015
Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Matha Temple, Secunderabad Bonalu August 2, 2015(Sunday)
Rangam August 3, 2015(Monday)
Simhavahini Shri Mahankali Devasthanam, Laldarwaza Old City-Hyderabad Bonalu August 9, 2015(Sunday)
Rangam August 10, 2015(Monday)
Bonalu Festival 2015 concludes on August 25, 2015(Tuesday) with GHATAM

Meaning of Bonam(Bonalu):
The festival name Bonam is derived from the word "Bojanam"(భోజనం)[Meal/Food in English]. During the festival devotees offer Bonalu to Goddess Mahankali.

Offering of "Bonalu" to Goddess:
Devotees prepare Rice cooked with Milk, Jaggery(బెల్లం) in a new Brass or Earthen Pot adorned with neem leaves, Turmeric, Vermilion (కుంకుమ) and a Lighted Diya(ప్రమిద) on the top of the Pot.
Devotees carry the Pots on their heads and make offering of "Bonalu" along with Saree, Bangles and Turmeric-Vermilion to the Mother Goddess in the Temples.

Worship of Goddess "Kali(Shakti)":
During the "Bonalu" Festival, devotees worship Mother Goddess Kali(Shakti) and her various forms. Goddess is worshipped as Mysamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Peddamma, Nookalamma, Ankalamma, Poleramma, Maremma and etc.,

The festival is celebrated for 3 days with great pomp and gaiety. The festival concludes with the immersion of GHATAM on the third day. The second day is celebrated as RANGAM. GHATAM is a Copper Pot decorated in the form of Mother Goddess.

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