Posanis keeping Pothuraju tradition for over 100 yrs

Lal Darwaza: Each year during the Lal Darwaza Bonalu festivities, the Posani family members don the role of 'Pothuraju.' With the 8th generation of the family catching the imagination of the revelers this season, the tradition has already a century amongst the dedicate family.

For the last 110 years, the 7 generations of Posani family donning colourful paint and armed with a whip have taking part in the festivities as Pothuraju during the Bonalu festivities. And for the last 4 years, this role is being played by 32-year-old, an auto parts businessman Posani Ashwin Mudiraj. He is the 8thgeneration of family which has taken the responsibility of Pothuraju on July 29.

Speaking to The Hans India, Ashwin said that this is the 5th year he would be playing the role of Pothuraju and before this, his forefathers for six generations played and after them his father played this for 30 years. He feels himself blessed that he was playing an Avatar (role) of Vishnu and the avatar is also considered as the brother of the Mahankali Maata. "We take on the role of protecting the Mahankaali and also the women carrying Bonam. Even our next generation will be playing this, taking out time from the professional works," he added.

Ashwin said that, during the Bonalu festivities he will be fasting for 15 days and on the day of Bonalu celebrations he will be playing the avatar of Pothuraju. During this 15 day, the Pothuraju has to offer prayers, keep fasting and as a devout engage in religious activities. "On the day of celebration Pothuraju has to safeguard the sisters who are carrying the ghatams. This would be the major role entrusted to the Pothuraju ever since the days of this practice begun," he noted.

On the day of Bonalu celebrations, early morning the temple committee along with poojari's will take the Pothuraju to the temple and perform pooja and then the KumKum, Haldi and other items will be handed over the man donning the role. Pothuraju will be get ready by applying the mixture of Kumkum and haldi which is called as 'Pasu' on entire body along with garlands, lemons, neem leaves, flowers etc. After getting ready the committee members will him to temple after travelling around the nearby colonies showering blessings by the Avatar Vishnu donned by him, which is believed to safeguard from evil spirit, he explained.

He also said that many people, from small kids to the elderly will take blessings from him by his 'Charlacola' (hunter). Taking a blessing from 'Charlacola' is usually considered as a blessing and a safeguard from evil spirit.