Mahankali temple being decked up for Bonalu

Lal Darwaza: The temple of Sri Narasimhavahini Mahankali Temple located at the Lal Darwaza in Old City is being spruced up for its upcoming Bonalu festivities which will commence from July 19. The newly formed committee announced that the 111th annual Brahmostavam would be celebrated with utmost devotion and grandeur this time by illuminating the entire temple and the entrance with colourful lights.

Speaking to The Hans India here on Friday, the temple committee chairman Tirupathi Narasing Rao said that on the first day of the festival, which falls on July 19 (Friday) morning 'Ganapati homam', 'saptashatiparayanam', 'deviabhishekam', 'dhwajarohanam', and 'shikara puja' would be organised.

In the same evening, Kalasha Stapana festivities will begin. On July 21, from Kashi Vishwanatha temple located in Shalibanda, the procession of Ammavarighattam with all its grandeur and band will be taken out, which will be installed in the Lal Darwaza temple. Later, for nine days, pujas will be organised in the temple.

On July 28, Bonalu will be presented to Ammavaru and prayers will be conducted for maintaining global peace. The July 29, the festivities will conclude with different activities like welcome of Pothuraju, Rangam and massive procession of the deity.

New Delhi's Laldarwaza Bonalu from July 2

The temple committee which is gearing up for Bonalu festivities to be held at grand scale in Old City will also be organising the festivities from July 2 to 4 at New Delhi. On the first day, a photo-exhibition will be inaugurated on the premises of Telangana Bhavan. On July 3, during the evening hours, a procession of Ammavari Ghattam will be taken out from India Gate towards the Telangana Bhavan where it will be installed (Ghata Pratishthapana).

The Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy will be attending the Bonalu festivities in New Delhi as the chief guest and will start the procession from India Gate. This would be the fourth year of celebrations being organised by Committee Members of Lal Darwaza Sri Narsimhavahini Mahankali Temple in the national capital.

On July 3, a 'Kavisammelanam,' a poetry recital session, is also being organised at the Ambedkar auditorium, where prominent poets from Telangana State will throw light on the history and traditions of Bonalu. On the morning hours of July 4, there will be welcome of Pothuraju, presentation of Bonalu and special prayers for Ammavaru, the Goddess.

Representatives from the Central and State governments are likely to present pattuvastrams and Bangaru (golden) bonam to Ammavaru. Later, in the evening, the concluding programmes will be held in the Ambedkar auditorium on July 4.

"For the last three years, the Mahankali Bonalu Festival is also being celebrated at the Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi on a grand scale to showcase the Telangana culture in the national capital. On this occasion, a large number of devotees attend the celebrations," said Narasing Rao.

Each year, devotees throng Simhavahini Sri Mahankali Temple which is over a century old, not only from different parts of the city but from nearby districts, and also states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and attend the grandeur of Bonalu festivities and its splendid procession.