Hyderabad is gearing up for the start of the Ashada Masam Bonalu festival, beginning this Thursday. The first offering, known as Bonum, will be made to Jagadambika Ammavaru at the temple in the historic Golkonda Fort.
This festival lasts a month and begins on the first Thursday of Ashada Masam Amavasya, ending with the last puja on Amavasya, July 24. After the initial ceremony at the Jagadamma Mahankali (Yellamma Talli) Temple, there will be nine pujas every Thursday and Sunday. During these events, devotees will present Bonam to the Goddess with devotion.
The festivities start with a lively procession of the Tottelu from Langar Houz Cross Roads to the temple at Golkonda Fort. This colorful parade will include Potarajus performing traditional dances to the rhythms of teenmar bands, highlighting the vibrant culture of Telangana.
At noon, a Rath Yatra will begin from the priest’s residence in Chhota Bazar, carrying the idol of the goddess and the Tottelu to the temple. This procession will feature band music, cultural displays, and Potraju’s dance. The Bonam for the goddess will be brought from Banjara Darwaza, and ministers will present silk clothes to Ammavaru on behalf of the government.
After Bonalu begins, the second puja will occur on Sunday, June 29, followed by the third on Thursday, July 3, and the fourth on Sunday, July 6. The fifth puja is set for Thursday, July 10, and the sixth, known as Lashkar Bonalu Jatara, will be held on Sunday, July 13, at Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad. On July 14, temple authorities will host Rangam and a procession. The Shri Mahankali Jatara Bonalu Utsavala Ummidi Devalayala Uregimpu Committee from the Old City will organize a Ghatam procession on the same day. Bonalu will take place in the Old City on Sunday, July 20, with Rangam following on Monday, July 21.
The festival will conclude with a grand procession on Monday, July 21, after Rangam at 3 PM, led by the Haribavalli Akkanna Madanna Sri Mahankali Temple in the Old City. The government has provided Rs 20 crore to support the temples and ensure all necessary arrangements for the festival are in place.
