Bonalu was performed with pomp and fervor on Sunday at Golconda.
Golconda fort was thronged by devotees who presented Bonalu to the deity. The month long Bonalu at different places of Hyderabad and Secunderabad is the local festival that is observed by all the local people of the twin cities. The festival is participated by people of all ages.
The festival is also celebrated in Telangana and Rayalaseema regions also. Bonam in fact means a colloquial Bhojanam that means meals. Rice cooked in milk, onions and sugar are offered to the deities of Mysamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Peddamma, Dokkalamma, Ankalamma, Poleramma, Maremma, Nookalamma etc.
The offer made is a thanks giving to the deity. In fact the cooked food is having ingredients that make the body cool and the custom started when a contagious disease erupted in as long back as 1813.
As the offering is made with devotion, many other presents like sarees, blowse pieces etc are also offered to the deity with dances clad in colorful attires.
(AW-SriJa)
