Bonalu-Bonam Festival of Telangana- a Thanksgiving Ritual
Bonalu jatra or festivity is celebrated in Hyderabad and Secunderabad in Telangana in the month of Ashada. Ashada comes in July – August every year. The festivity is a month long affair and calls for whole family participation. Elaborate poojas are performed for Goddess Yellamma,Muthyalamma, Mysamma, Pochamma, Pedamma, Dokkalamma, Ankalamma, Poleramma, Ganganamma, Maremma, Pochamma, Maramma, and Nookalamma . ‘Poleramma Jatara’ (temple fair of village deity), organised at Venkatagiri town in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. 'Bonam' means Bojanam or Bojanalu in Telugu language. It means first offering to the Goddess. As Aashada marks the change of Ayana (Uttarayana and Dkashinayana). So, it is the first offering to the Goddess made as thanksgiving and welcoming Dakshinayana. Some opine that Goddess visits her maternal home for vacation during Aashada month, so it is the duty of every individual to...