Fast Facts :

Region : Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, (India)

Falls in the holy month of Ashadh : (June to July)

Meaning of the word Bonalu : Bhojnalu

Lionized by : The Hindus

Bonalu is a folk festival, which is a very popular festival in the region of Telangana.The word Bonalu means food and is derived from Bhojanalu.This festival is celebrated from quite a long time and is celebrated with great devotional fervor and gaiety. This festival is celebrated in the month of Ashadh and is on or a month. This festival is also marked with singing of devotional songs and worship of the village deities Mahankali, Pochamma, Yellamma, Gundamma and Maisamma.

The unique feature of this festival includes Ghatams or the decorated pots that are filled with colorful flowers and are carried on the head by the women’s in theprocessions. Cooked rice placed in polished brass utensil that is decorated by neem leaves are also carried to worship the local deity and the men participate by beating drums.

Women’s are dressed in new and colorful attires dances along the processions with the pots on their head to the fervously beats of the drums and sings songs in the praise of the deity of Mahankali. Male dancers are known as the Potharajus follows the female dancers. This goddess is said to be the protector of the entire village.

This festival is also celebrated great poise in the cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad. During this holy festival shree Jagadambika Temple located at the top of Golconda Fort attracts hoards of devotes from the neighboring area. Some of the Muslim Emperors also idolized this festival as they offered prayers in the same temple that ha s been marked as the popularity of the temple. Puja is offered by the State Government on behalf of the mankind. Bonalu is known to be the festival of families sharing the offerings amongst the other members of the families.