Bonalu

The electrifying Bonalu festival, which is celebrated with deep fervour and gaiety in the Telangana Region will take place in the period of Ashada Masam (a month in Hindu calendar, which falls in between June and July). The word 'Bonalu' is derived from ‘Bhojanalu’ meaning food offered to the Goddess Maha Kali.

On Bonalu day women take head bath early in the morning and wear festive clothes. They cook rice and prepare a Andhra sweet dish, Payasam and Thotakura ( a leafy vegetable) and put them in a vessel decorated with neem leaves and a Jyothi (an oil lamp in a shallow earthen dish) on top. Women carry these vessels on their heads and walk up to the temple, while the traditional band music (dappu) accompanied by dancing follows them. They place the vessels before Godesses as an offer to the almighty. Some women fill the vessels with water, mixed with turmeric powder and pour them around the temple along with neem leaves for a prosperous and peaceful life. This is called 'Saka'


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