Golconda Bonalu at Sri Jagdamba Mahankali Temple at Golconda Fort in Hyderabad

Bonalu is dedicated to Amman – Mother Goddess – and is observed on all Sundays in Ashada month in the Telangana Region in India. The first Sunday Bonalu is observed at the Sri Jagdamba Mahankali Temple at Golconda Fort. Golconda Bonalu 2024 dates are July 7, July 11, July 14, July 18, July 21, July 25, July 28, August 1 and August 4. Sundays and Thursdays are chosen to observe the ritual. Goddess Mahankali is offered special prayers during Bonalu. The main ritual involves bonam – cooked rice and jaggery.

The scene at the Golconda temple was one of fervour, with people climbing about 360 steps to reach the temple and some stopping at each step to apply turmeric and saffron to the step before reaching the sanctum sanctorum.

On the second Sunday, devotees will turn up with ‘thottelu’ which are colourful artefacts people make and carry in a Bonalu procession.

In Bonalu, devotees take out jhoola and ratham procession to the temple and offer bonam, containing cooked rice mixed with jaggery in a pot along with neem leaves and saka (pure water). The highlight of the procession is men adorning the role of Potharaju - brother of Goddess Mahankali. They lead the processions.

The other famous Bonalu in Hyderabad are held at the Lal Darwaza Mahankali temple and the Ujjaini Mahankali Temple.