Aindri Puja or Indrani Pooja is observed during Ashada Navratri. In 2009, the date of Aindri Puja or Indrani Pooja is June 29, Monday. Aindri, also known as Indrani, Indri, Mahendri, Devendri, Shakri and Vajri, is one of the Saptamatrikas, the seven devine mother Goddesses who helped Goddess Shakti in demolishing Shumbha and Nishumbha.

Appearance of Goddess Indrani:

Goddess Indrani or Indri is the power of Lord Indra, the King of the heaven. Goddess Indrani is depicted as fierce goddess. Indrani appeared as dark skinned, with two or four or sometimes with six arms. Indrani’s vehicle is Airavata, the divine elephant.

Sometimes, Indrani is depicted with thousand eyes. She carries the weapons – Vajra (thunderbolt), goad, noose; and holds lotus stalk in one of her arms. Indrani is adorned with various ornaments such as Kirita Mukuta (Diamond Crown) on her head.

On the day of Indrani Puja, Mahishasura Mardhini Pooja is also observed. Mahishasura Mardhini is one of the manifestations of Goddess Durga. 

Kumar Sashti is a festival during which Lord Kumara is worshipped. Lord Kumara, also known as Kartikeya, Skanda, Sanat Kumara, Muruga, Subrahmanya, Shanmukha, is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvathi. In 2009, Kumar Sashti is observed on June 30, Tuesday. Kumar Sashti is the birthday or the appearance day of Lord Kumara.

Kumar Sashti is observed as an important festival in Nepal. Kumar Sashti is celebrated on Ashada Shukla Paksha Sashti. But in Tamilnadu and other South Indian states, the appearance day of Lord Kartikeya is observed during May – June.

Bonalu Jathara is the most significant annual utsav celebrated in Ashada masam at Shri Ujjaini Maha Kali Temple in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh. In 2010, the date of Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu is August 1, Sunday and the Rangam will be celebrated on August 2, Monday. Ashada Bonalu Jathara, one of the biggest festivals in Telangana, is dedicated to Goddess Mahanakali. Bonalu at Ujjaini Mahakali temple is a two-day festival.

History of Ujjaini Mahankali Temple located at Secunderabad:
Ujjaini Mahankali is considered as most powerful Goddess and worshipped by devotees throughout the state of Andhra Pradesh, especially Telangana region. Ujjain Mahakali idol was installed in the first half of the 19th century. It is said that Ujjaini Mahakali idol was brought from Ujjain city.

In the beginning of 19th century, some army people arrived to Telangana region and observed many people were struck by Cholera in this region. When they visited Mahakali Temple at Ujjain city, they worshipped Goddess Mahakali to save Telangana people from Cholera. As a grace of Goddess, Cholera was completely vanished from the region.

To save the people of Telangana region and to make them healthy and prosperous, devotees brought the idol of Mahakali Goddess from Ujjain Mahakali temple to Secunderabad and installed it. Since then, to please and praise the Goddess, Ashada Bonalu Jathara is held at Ujjaini Mahankali temple at Secunderabad.

Rangam – the Ritual of Future Prediction in Bonalu Jathara at Ujjaini Mahankali Temple:
Rangam is a ritual performed by a woman, who is devoted to the Goddess. Rangam festival is observed on the second or last day during Bonalu Jathara. During Rangam, the devoted woman goes in to Shigam (trance) and loudly announces the future predictions. It is very hard to control or to make her calm during Rangam. With Rangam festival, Mahankali Jathara Bonalu at Ujjaini Mahakali temple at Secunderabad is culminated.

Other main rituals during Ashada Bonalu are – Ghata Sthapan (Kalasha Sthapana), Ghatam, Pothuraju Swagatham and Mahakumbabhishekham.

Bonalu or Mahakali Bonalu Jatara, a thanksgiving festival dedicated to Goddess Mahakali or Kali, celebrated in Ashada masam (June – July – August) in twin cities, Hyderabad, Secunderabad and all other parts of Telangana in Andhra Pradesh. Mahankali Jathara Bonalu is a colourful festival, mainly observed by women. Goddess Mahakali is also worshipped as Mysamma, Yellamma (Renuka mata), Pochamma, Peddamma, Poleramma, Maramma, and Ankalamma.

Bonalu Jatara – Grand Festival in Hyderabad and Secunderabad: 
Bonalu Jatara is a Ashada masa utsavam celebrated with joy and devotion in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Bonam means Bojanaalu or meal in Telugu, the native language, is an offering to Mahankali. During the fest, women bring their offerings in clay pots decorated with colours, neem leaves and a diya on the top. They carry the clay pots on their head and proceeds towards Kali temple from houses and perform some special poojas to offer bonam to the Goddess. Drums and devotional songs of Goddess Kali create a wonderful atmosphere at the temples during Bonalu festival.

When Bonalu Jatara started – Origin and history of Bonalu Jathara:
In 1869, the people of Hyderabad and Secunderabad were suffered very much from Plague. Many people were died and many were diseased. People thought that the epidemic was a result of Goddess’ anger on them and initiated Bonalu to pacify the Goddess Mahankali.

Bonalu Jathara – The Major Temples in Hyderabad and Secunderabad:

The major temples where Bonalu Jathara is held at are – Ujjaini Mahakali Temple at Secunderabad, Shri Jagadambika temple at Golconda fort, Mahankali Akkanna Madanna Temple at Haribowli, Sri Matheshwari Temple at Laldarwaja, Yellamma Temple at Balkampet, Shri Jagadamba temple of Sultanshahi, Bangaru Mysamma temple of Shalibanda, Darbar Mysamma Temple of Aliabad and Mutyalamma temple of Chandulal Bela.

Bonalu Jathara is started at Golconda Sri Jagadambika Temple with observing some special pujas. After this celebrations, Ujjaini Mahakali Bonalu, Laldarwaja Matheshwari Kali Bonalu and then throughout Telangana Bonalu are held. Ashada Bonalu is culminated in the same Golconda Jagadambika temple at where it is started.

Ashada Navratri festival, nine festive nights that falls during the month of Ashada, is an auspicious occasion in Kanakadurga temple in Vijayawada. Ashada Navratri utsavam is also called as Gayathri Navratri or Shakambari Navratri. Ashada Navratri celebrations begin on Ashad Shukla paksha Padyami (the first day of Ashada masam) and culminated on Dashami. In 2009, Ashad Navratri starts on June 23, Tuesday and ends on July 2, Thursday. Shakambari Utsav are held for five days, beginning on July 5, Sunday and ends on July 9, Thursday.

Goddess Kanakadurga as Shakambari Devi:
During Ashada Navratri, for three days, Goddess Kanakadurga idol (presiding deity in Durga Malleshwara Swamy temple in Vijayawada) is appeared in the alankar of Shakambari Devi. Durga idol is decorated with vegetables and fruits and worshipped as Shakambari Ma. And all other alankarams are worshipped as Maha Navratri festival (Ashwayuja Sharan Navratri Utsavams).