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{{Short description|Annual Hindu festival}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name = Bonalu
|type = Hindu
|longtype = Festival of Deccan Shakti-Shaivite tradition.
|image = [[File:Bonam.jpg|210px]]
|caption = Women with Bonam
|official_name = Bonalu
|nickname =
|observedby = [[Telangana]]
|begins = [[Ashada masam]] (July/August)
|ends =
|date =
|date2016 = 10 July–July 31
|date2017 =
|celebrations = On Sundays
|observances = Offering
|relatedto =
|frequency = Annual
|alt=|litcolor=|significance=|weekday=|month=|scheduling=|duration=|firsttime=|startedby=}}
'''Bonalu (Telugu: బోనాలు)''' is a traditional festival centred on the Hindu goddess [[Mahakali]] from [[Telangana]].<ref>[https://www.telangana.gov.in/about/language-culture Telangana state portal Language and Culture]</ref> This festival is celebrated annually in the twin cities of [[Hyderabad]] and [[Secunderabad]], as well as in other parts of the state.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Reddy|first=Suhasini|date=2019-07-20|title=BONALU Celebrations started in Telangana State with Gaiety|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/life-style/spiritual/bonalu-celebrations-started-in-telangana-state-with-gaiety-548226|access-date=2020-08-07|website=www.thehansindia.com|language=en}}</ref> It is celebrated in the month of [[Ashada|Ashada Masam]], which is around July and/or August. Special "poojas" (worship/ ceremonies) are performed for [[Yellamma]] (one of the many regional forms of Mahakali) on the first and last day of the festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/lf/2002/08/05/stories/2002080501520200.htm|title=The Hindu : The spirit of 'Bonalu'|publisher=|access-date=24 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227014333/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/lf/2002/08/05/stories/2002080501520200.htm|archive-date=27 February 2008|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The festival is also considered a thanksgiving to Mahakali for fulfillment of vows.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2019-07-29|title=Bonalu Festival 2019: Vibrant Pictures From the Thanksgiving Festival|url=https://www.news18.com/photogallery/india/bonalu-festival-2019-vibrant-pictures-from-the-thanksgiving-festival-2251583.html|access-date=2020-08-07|website=News18}}</ref>

The word ''Bonam'' is a contraction of the word ''Bhojanam'', a [[loanword]] from [[Sanskrit]] which means a meal or a feast in [[Telugu Language|Telugu]]. It is an offering to Mahakali. Women prepare rice cooked with milk and [[jaggery]] in a new brass or earthen pot adorned with [[Azadirachta indica|neem]] leaves, [[turmeric]], and [[vermilion]] with a lit lamp on top of the pot. Women carry the pots on their heads and make an offering of the ''Bonam'' along with turmeric-vermilion, bangles and [[sari]] to Mahakali across the temples.<ref name=":0" />

==Origin of Bonalu festival==
The origin of this festival can be traced back to the 18th century in the erstwhile [[Hyderabad State]], and is linked with the "Regimental Bazaar" and the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. In the year 1813, a plague broke out in the twin cities, and this took the lives of thousands of people.<ref name=":0" /> Just before this, a military battalion from Hyderabad had been deployed to [[Ujjain]]i, where there is a temple of Shiva in the form of Mahakaleshwara. When this military battalion from Hyderabad got news that the epidemic had hit their native land, they became fearful for the lives and safety of their families. The soldiers posted in Ujjaini prayed to the goddess at the Mahakali Temple – [[Ujjain]]i, [[Madhya Pradesh]]. The battalion is said to have prayed to Mahakali to kill the plague, and if the goddess did so, they would install an idol of Mahakali in the city when they returned home. It is believed that Mahakali destroyed the disease and kept the pestilence away. When the battalion returned to their homeland, they built the [[Ujjaini Mahakali Temple]] and installed an idol of the goddess, in fulfilment of their vow. This was followed by the offering of ''Bonalu'' to her. This then became a tradition that has been followed by most of the people of ''Telangana.''<ref name=":1" />

[[File:Bonaalu Artform performance in Janapada Jathara (2019) 10.jpg|thumb|A Bonala performance in Hyderabad, 2019]]

==Pothuraju==
[[File:Bonalu Dance.jpg|thumb|200px|A woman under trance]]
According to mythology, Potharaju is the brother of Mahakali. His role is played in the procession by a well-built, bare-bodied man, wearing a small tightly draped [[dhoti|red dhoti]], bells on his ankles, and anointed with turmeric on his body and vermilion on his forehead. He dances to resounding drums in the procession.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/24/stories/2006072415410200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923001218/http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/24/stories/2006072415410200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-09-23|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2006-07-24|title=Archive News}}</ref>

''Potharaju'' always dances in front of the ''Palaharam Bandi'', i.e., the procession. He is considered the initiator of the festivities and the protector of the community. He leads the female dancers who are under the spell of Mahakali (known as ''shigam'') to the temple, with lashing whips and emerald [[neem|neem leaves]] (margosa) tied around their waists, accompanied by trumpets and drums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/28/stories/2007032816230500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711025454/http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/28/stories/2007032816230500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-11|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2007-03-28|title=Archive News}}</ref>

==Rangam==

''Rangam'' (or ''Performing the Oracle)'', is held the next morning of the festival. A woman standing atop of an earthen pot ''invokes'' Goddess Mahakali onto her and performs the custom. She foretells the year ahead for the devotees asking about the future. This takes place before the procession is started.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/11/stories/2004071113180300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040712150457/http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/11/stories/2004071113180300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 July 2004|title=Government urged to declare holiday tomorrow|first=Our Staff|last=Reporter|date=7 November 2004|pages=03|work=[[The Hindu]]|via=The Hindu (old)}}</ref>

==Ghatam==

''Ghatam'' is a copper pot, decorated in the form of the Mother Goddess. The Ghatam is carried by a priest, who wears a traditional ''Dhoti'', and whose body is smeared with turmeric. The ''Ghatam'' is taken into procession from the first day of the festival until the last day when it is immersed in water. The ''Ghatam'' is usually accompanied by beating of drums.<ref>{{cite web|title=Secunderabad awash in Bonalu colours|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2009/jul/13/secunderabad-awash-in-bonalu-colours-67598.html|website=The New Indian Express|date=15 May 2012 }}</ref>

The festival concludes with immersion of the ''Ghatam''. The ''Ghatam'' of Haribowli's [[Akkanna Madanna Temple]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/15/stories/2006071522130200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930225245/http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/15/stories/2006071522130200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-09-30|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2006-07-15|title=Archive News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://akkannamadannatemple.com/history.html|title=New Page 1|publisher=|access-date=5 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624040408/http://akkannamadannatemple.com/history.html|archive-date=24 June 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> leads the procession, placed atop an elephant and accompanied by mounted horses and models depicting [[Akkanna]] and [[Madanna and Akkanna|Madanna]]. It ends in the evening with a glittering procession and display of much pomp and show followed by immersion of ''Ghatams'' at [[Nayapul]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/06/stories/2007080657970200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206053631/http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/06/stories/2007080657970200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-12-06|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2007-08-06|title=Archive News}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:1lal darwaza bonala pandaga Hyderabad.jpg|

File:3 lal darwaza bonala pandaga Hyderabad.jpg|

File:5 lal darwaza bonala pandaga Hyderabad.jpg|

File:7 lal darwaza bonala pandaga Hyderabad.jpg|

File:9 lal darwaza bonala pandaga Hyderabad.jpg|

File:11 lal darwaza bonala pandaga Hyderabad.jpg|

File:13 lal darwaza bonala pandaga Hyderabad.jpg|

File:15 lal darwaza bonala pandaga Hyderabad.jpg|

File:17 lal darwaza bonala pandaga Hyderabad.jpg|

File:19 lal darwaza bonala pandaga Hyderabad.jpg|

File:21 lal darwaza bonala pandaga Hyderabad.jpg|

File:SC ST Association bonala swagatha vedika.jpg|

File:Lighting during Bonalu in Uppal.jpg|Lighting across the [[Uppal Kalan|Uppal]] during Bonalu festival

File:India. Telangana bonalu.jpg

</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Bonalu}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928042106/http://www.indiavarta.com/gallerynew/photos.asp?Topic=-224 Women carrying the Bonam]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080227014430/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2005072515880200.htm&date=2005%2F07%2F25%2F&prd=th& The Hindu feature]}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071017024130/http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/12/stories/2007071260511100.htm Mayadari Mysamma song feature on The]



[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Festivals in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:June observances]] 
[[Category:July observances]]
[[Category:August observances]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]
[[Category:Festivals in Telangana]]

Bonalu - Revision history

Acharyak182 at 03:07, 5 January 2026