Festivals

Bonalu in India 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

The fierce Hindu goddess of devastation and doom is Mahakali. In numerous Puranic and Tantric Hindu scriptures, she is depicted as the primordial force of the universe.

Bonalu is celebrated annually in the month of Ashada Masam, which, according to the Gregorian calendar, typically falls in July or August. This year’s festival occurs between June 25 and July 16. In honour of the Hindu goddess Mahakali, the festival is celebrated primarily in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as well as in other areas of the state of Telangana. Women dress in their traditional sarees, along with jewellery and other accessories, for this festive and colourful occasion. As an offering to the goddess, women transport “Bonam,” a meal composed of rice, milk, and jaggery, in earthen pots on their heads.

The background of Bonalu

The fierce Hindu goddess of devastation and doom is Mahakali. In numerous Puranic and Tantric Hindu scriptures, she is depicted as the primordial force of the universe. She is characterised as an abstract energy and revered as the deity of time. In the majority of Indian depictions, she has a blue/black complexion, four arms bearing weapons, a demon head and a skull cup, small canines, dishevelled hair, angry eyes, and a lolling tongue. She wears a skirt made of demon limbs and a necklace composed of 108 demon hands. In some depictions, she also has ten heads.

Bonalu dates back to the 19th century, when a plague ravaged the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, killing tens of thousands of people. Prior to this, a military battalion was transferred from Hyderabad to Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. When this battalion learned of the epidemic in the cities, they prayed to the deity in Ujjain’s Mahankaal Temple to eradicate the disease. They prayed that if the goddess granted their request, they would erect a statue of her in the city. It is believed that Mahakali eradicated disease and warded off pestilence. When the military battalion returned to the city, they installed a statue of the deity and then presented her with Bonalu. This became a custom that all Telangana residents continue to observe.

According to another legend, this is the time when the deity Mahakali returns to her parental home in “Ashada Maasam,” or from late June to August, making this the ideal time to offer Bonalu to the goddess.

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BONALU ACTIVITIES

Visit Telangana

Bonalu is celebrated in the Indian state of Telangana with vibrant processions, delicious cuisine, and unwavering devotion. You can also take advantage of this opportunity to tour the state. Fortuitously, the celebrations commence at the Sree Jagadambika temple atop the imposing Golconda Fort.

Observe celebrations in your city

Visit the nearest Hindu or Kali temples in your area to observe the Bonalu celebrations. If you so choose, pay your respects and be prepared to devour some delicious cuisine.

Host a party at home

If you have a shrine in your home, you should prepare Bonam, a dish composed of rice, milk, and jaggery, and present it to the sun deity. A priest may then decorate the mother deity and perform puja and Bonam in the temples following the worship.

5 FACTS ABOUT GODDESS KALI THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

According to some devotees, a celebration of Kali Puja is conducted in a large cremation ground where she is believed to reside in the cities of Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati.

The most common depictions of Kali are the ubiquitous four-armed form and the Mahakali form with ten arms.

Although Kali is frequently associated with sexuality and violence, she is also regarded as a formidable mother figure and a symbol of maternal affection.

Mick Jagger’s desire to pay homage to the deity Kali inspired the design of the Rolling Stones’ iconic lips logo.

According to legend, the goddess destroyed the demon Raktabija, his companions, and his entire army, who were causing both the people and the gods a great deal of difficulty.