Bonalu Jathara | Secunderabad Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu Jatara

Bonalu Jathara rangam

Bonalu Jathara is the most significant annual utsav celebrated in Ashada masam at Shri Ujjaini MahaKali Temple in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh. In 2022, the date of Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu is July 17, Sunday and the Rangam will be celebrated on July 18, 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.