Bonalu Festival 2025: Telangana’s Grand Celebration of Goddess Mahakali

What is Bonalu?

• Bonalu (from Sanskrit Bhojanam, meaning “meal”) is a unique folk festival from Telangana, celebrated to honor Goddess Mahakali/Yellamma.

• It began around 1813 during a plague outbreak in Hyderabad–Secunderabad. Military battalions stationed in Ujjain prayed to Mahakali, and when the plague subsided, they vowed to bring her idol back and offer meals—thus started the tradition.

• It’s now statewide, with women offering cooked rice with milk and jaggery, decorated pots, bangles, sarees, and other items—carried on their heads to temples.

 Key Ritual Elements

• Bonam Pots: Rice, milk, jaggery in a new earthen/brass pot adorned with neem leaves, turmeric, vermilion, and a lit lamp .

• Pothuraju: A bare-chested male performer smeared with turmeric, dancing ahead of the procession carrying a whip and neem leaves.

• Processions: Include “Ghatam” (priest carries a decorated pot) and “Thottela” (bamboo-paper structures offered).

• Folk Dances & Music: Rhythmic drums and spirited dances accompany the devotees.

• Feasting: Community meals often include goat/chicken, though modern ceremonies sometimes avoid sacrificial meat .

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   Bonalu 2025 Schedule (Ashada Masam)

As per the Telangana Endowments Department, Hyderabad’s festivities start on June 26, 2025 and run through July 24, 2025, at key temples.

Golconda (Sri Jagadambika Temple)

• Jun 26 (Thu) – 1️⃣ Golden Bonam (inaugural)

• Jun 29 (Sun) – 2nd Bonam

• Jul 3 (Thu) – 3rd

• Jul 6 (Sun) – 4th

• Jul 10 (Thu) – 5th

• Jul 13 (Sun) – 6th

• Jul 17 (Thu) – 7th

• Jul 20 (Sun) – 8th

• Jul 24 (Thu) – 9th & closing ceremony.

Secunderabad & Old City

• Jul 13 (Sun) – Ujjaini Mahankali Temple, Secunderabad.

• Jul 20 (Sun) – Simhavahini Ammavari Bonalu at Lal Darwaza.

     Note: The Telangana government has declared July 25 a public holiday in many areas following the celebrations .

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   Ritual Flow & Temple Locations

1. Golconda Fort
   Home to Sri Jagadambika Temple  the grand inauguration site.

2. Second/Third Sundays
   Balkampet Yellamma, Katta Maisamma, Pochamma temples, Akkanna Madanna, Muthyalamma   all bustling with devotees.

3. Secunderabad
   Ujjaini Mahankali Temple draws large crowds every Sunday during Ashada.

4. Lal Darwaza Old City
   Simhavahini Bonalu is the grand finale here.

    What to Expect on Specific Dates

• June 26: Grand opening at Golconda with ministerial presence discussing logistics, security, water, and traffic.

• Weekly Rituals: Every Thursday & Sunday until July 24, nine bonams are offered.

• July 13: Major event at Secunderabad’s Ujjaini Mahankali Temple.

• July 20: Simhavahini Ammavari Bonalu at Lal Darwaza.

• July 24: Final Bonalu at Golconda marks conclusion.

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    Cultural Significance

• Deep regional identity: Bonalu celebrates the strength of rural goddess veneration (Grama Shakti).

• Revival of tradition: Telangana govt recognized it as a state festival in 2014, underscoring its cultural importance.

• Devotee participation: The festival is community driven with women leading the offerings and men playing Pothuraju or performing Ghatam processions.

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   Tips if You Plan to Attend

• Arrive early on Sundays/Thursdays at temples to secure a good spot.

• Dress modestly and as locals do—women typically wear sarees or half-sarees.

• Observe rituals respectfully, including water sprinkling to pacify the goddess spirit.

• Prepare for crowds and traffic, especially near Golconda and Lal Darwaza; public transport is recommended.

• Embrace the atmosphere: folk drums, vibrant attire, Pothuraju, processions it’s a sensory spectacle!

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  Bonalu 2025 – Key Schedule