Mahakali temple decked up for Lashkar Bonalu
According to organisers, during the Ashada month, the Bonalu festival, also known as Lashkar bonalu transforms this temple into a spectacular hub of devotion. Devotees from across India and even from overseas plan their annual visits to coincide with these celebrations, ensuring they pay homage to the goddess during this auspicious time.
The entire atmosphere comes alive with the chants of priests, the rhythmic beat of Pothurajus, vibrant dance performances, colorful processions of the goddess's symbolic pots, the media buzz, round-the-clock efforts by the police, decoration of temple and the watchful presence of political leaders. Together, they create an eightfold fortress of devotion and joy around the temple.
In the temple, Chandi Devi and Bala Devi stand to Mahakali's left. Remarkably, during the temple's construction, an idol of Manikyalamma was unearthed and consecrated to Mahakali Mata's right. Opposite her sits Matamma, and nearby is Veerabhadra Swamy. Much like the radiant face of the goddess, the entire temple courtyard glows with a divine serenity, always brimming with devoted worshippers.
A popular belief holds that during Ashada, the goddess and her 'sisters' visit their maternal home, blessing everyone in their community. Symbolically, the goddess's decorated pots are carried door-to-door, receiving prayers and offerings from every household and showering blessings in return. On the main day of the festival on Sunday, Mahakali Mata's divine form appears as radiant and luminous as moonlight, much like a cherished daughter returning home after a long time away.
An equally remarkable tradition is the revered prophecy delivered by Jogini Swarnalatha. Every Monday during the festival, the highly anticipated Rangam ceremony takes place. Swarnalatha, who lives a celibate life entirely devoted to the goddess, invokes Mahakali to speak through her. Her words are keenly awaited not only by thousands of devotees but also by state officials, who listen to her divine counsel with great respect.
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The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
Rangam 2025 at Ujjaini Mahakali: Oracle predicts abundant rains for Telangana
The traditional Rangam or soothsayer ritual, one of the most awaited events during the Bonalu festival, was held with fervent devotion at the Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad on Monday (July 14, 2025). This year's oracle voice struck a deeply stirring and cautionary tone. Beginning with blessings and praise for the people's devotion, the possessed woman conveyed the goddess's happiness over the offerings made in her honour. Yet, her words soon turned to warning. The tradition believed to embody direct communication between the goddess Mahakali and her devotees, a woman — known as Vishwamatta or Shakti — in divine trance made predictions and emotional appeals for the year ahead. 'To all my people, to all my children, I am very happy. I have been blessed with wealth for a long time but every year, you play games with me. I have been saying this for seven years, you do not listen,' the oracle declared. The temple priest, representing the voice of the devotees, sought forgiveness and asked for guidance. The exchange that followed was emotionally charged, as the goddess demanded a greater degree of devotion and sacrifice, symbolised through the repeated phrase, 'Show me blood.' While acknowledging that pujas and offerings had been conducted well, the oracle stressed that it was not enough. 'I carried you in my womb, I protected you. but my patience is wearing thin,' she said. Among the moments of the ceremony was a prophecy foretelling a possible pandemic and the danger of fires in the near future. 'In the coming days, there will be a pandemic. You should be careful. Follow the rules. There will also be fire danger. I am warning you now,' she said. In response to the priest's enquiry about rainfall and harvests, traditionally foretold during the Rangam, the oracle offered some optimism. 'Yes, this year the rains will be good. The crops will be good. There will be sweets and festivals,' she said, before returning to a more somber tone. 'This year, it is my turn to stand. Show me blood. If you do not, I will not stay quiet' she warned. The ritual concluded with the priest bowing in prayer, seeking peace and reassurance. 'Don't show me blood. Bless me. Next year, everything will be fine. With your blessings, we will celebrate this festival.' Shortly after the Rangam, Telangana's Minister for BC Welfare and Civil Supplies, Ponnam Prabhakar, addressed the media and reiterated the State government's commitment to the Bonalu tradition. Referring to the prophecy of good rains and harvests, he said, 'It is a good sign for farmers and for people across the State. For everyone to live in happiness, the goddess has given her blessings.' He added that all rituals prescribed by shastra would be performed under official supervision through the Endowments Department. 'As instructed by the goddess through the prophecy, the State will respond with full responsibility,' he said.
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Secunderabad streets soak in Bonalu spirit
HYDERABAD: The lanes of Secunderabad transformed into a vibrant canvas of devotion and tradition on Sunday as the two-day grand Lashkar Bonalu celebrations began at the historic Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple. With the sun beating down harshly, thousands of devotees — young and old — braved the heat to offer prayers and take part in one of Telangana's most significant folk festivals. From early morning at 3 am, hundreds of women, draped in bright traditional sarees and adorned with flowers, made their way through the crowded streets carrying Bonams — decorated clay pots filled with rice, jaggery, curd, turmeric, and neem leaves, with a small lit lamp on top of their heads. Local devotees expressed their emotional connection to the festival. Rupa Sarath, from Uppal, said, 'I have been coming here for 15 years. No matter how hot it gets, offering a Bonam gives me peace.' Ruthika, a young woman from Bholakpur, said, 'It's part of my life since childhood. We've grown up coming to Bonalu. Even the heat can't stop us.' Eventually, as the sun set, the streets grew busier and livelier. Potharajus, the traditional guardians of the goddess, danced to drumbeats, covered in turmeric and striking their whips, creating energy in the crowd. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy visited the temple to offer pattu vastralu (silk clothes) to the goddess and participated in special pujas. He was welcomed with a traditional Poornakumbham by temple priests and greeted by devotees. Accompanying him were Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Konda Surekha, Danasari Anasuya, and CM's Advisor Vem Narender Reddy.
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- The Hindu
A riot of colour, devotion and drumbeats: Bonalu draws lakhs to Ujjaini Mahankali temple
The centuries-old Bonalu festival reached a vibrant high at the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad on Sunday, drawing lakhs of devotees from across Telangana for one of its most significant days of celebration. From the early hours of the morning, devotees began queuing up along the roads leading to the temple, with crowds stretching as far as Sarojini Devi Road. With bonams (earthen pots filled with rice cooked in milk and jaggery, accompanied by curd, sugar, and turmeric water) balanced on their heads, women offered prayers to the goddess. A major highlight of the day's festivities was the spirited performance by the Potharajus, bare-chested men daubed in turmeric and vermillion, dancing to the beat of traditional drums. Separate queues were created for women devotees and barricades installed along the route to manage the heavy footfall. Around 11:30 a.m., Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy arrived at the temple, offering pattu vastralu (silk robes) to the deity and performing special pujas. He received theertha prasadam and blessings from the temple priests and was welcomed with traditional Poornakumbham. Earlier in the day, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya and Union Minister for Coal and Mines Reddy, accompanied by their families, also paid their respects at the temple. Several other dignitaries, including MPs Anil Kumar Yadav and Etala Rajender, Medchal MLA Malla Reddy, Sanathnagar MLA T. Srinivas Yadav and Hyderabad District Collector Hari Chandana Dasari were present on the occasion. With lakhs of devotees expected, civic and temple authorities had undertaken elaborate arrangements. Five medical camps were established near the temple, each stocked with essential medicines and staffed by trained medical personnel. Drinking water points were set up along all major approach routes, and sanitation workers were deployed to ensure cleanliness throughout the area. 'We had offered prayers last year for my son's admission into a master's programme in the US. Now that our prayers have been answered, we have come here to offer gratitude,' said Sangeeta Yadav, a resident of Tarnaka. However, the enthusiasm of many devotees was briefly dampened due to restricted temple access caused by heavy VIP movement. At certain checkpoints, minor scuffles broke out as police personnel attempted to control the crowd, preventing some people from proceeding. Public announcements were made over loudspeakers urging VIP vehicles not to park in areas designated for pilgrims and to vacate congested spots promptly.
