The two-day annual Bonalu Jathara popularly known as “Lashkar Bonalu” at Sri Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad started on Sunday with Nizamabad MP K Kavitha, daughter of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, offering ‘bonam’ to the Goddess in a vessel made up of 3.80 kg gold followed by 1,108 women devotees wearing similar saris and carrying bonams. The procession was taken out from the residence of Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav at the nearby Audiah Nagar to the temple amidst drum beats and dance performances by cultural troupes.
Endowments Minister A Indrakaran Reddy flagged off the “bonam” procession that passed through main thoroughfares of City Light Hotel andKingsway Circle. Since early morning, thousands of devotees stood in serpentine queues to have darshan of the Goddess Mahankali. Long queues were seen from Ramgopalpet police station and General Bazaar areas. Clad in silk saris, women residing in Secunderabad and its surroundings came to the temple and offered ‘bonams’ with reverence.
The golden bonam was made out of the gold donated to the temple over the years by devotees. Nearly 10 kg gold was melted from the offerings. The rest of the gold was preserved in a locker and will be utilized for a golden sari for the goddess, which may be presented during the ensuing Navarathri festivities and a tender was given to Manepally Jewellers.
After offering Bonam to Ammavaru, Kavitha extended greetings to women (Adabiddalu). She said the Bonalu at Secunderabad Ujjaini Mahankali temple got recognition after Telangana State came into being. She said she had prayed to the Goddess to keep the people in the State very happy, healthy and prosperous. In the early hours, minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav, accompanied by his wife and relatives offered bonam to the goddess.
Excise & Prohibition Minister Padma Rao Goud, Deputy Speaker Padma Devendar Reddy, Mayor Bonthu Rammohan, Malkajgiri MP Malla Reddy also participated in the festivities.