Bonalu fervour grips Secunderabad as devotees throng Ujjaini Mahankali temple

Thousands of devotees, mostly women, gathered at the Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad on Sunday for Bonalu celebrations. Despite heavy crowds and delays due to VVIP visits, the temple witnessed colourful and energetic festivities from early morning hours.

Hyderabad: Attired in their finest, with a ‘bonam’ balanced on their heads, women from across Secunderabad thronged the century-old Ujjaini Mahankali temple on Sunday for Lashkar Bonalu festivities. The streets of Secunderabad, particularly in General Bazar and Monday market, came alive with the vibrant colours and sounds of Bonalu celebrations. The rhythmic beats and traditional drums (dappulu) filled the air, accompanying the energetic steps of Potharajus, as all roads literally led to the revered temple.

Photo: Anand Dharmana

From 3 am onwards on Sunday, hundreds of women started visiting the temple, eager to offer their Bonam to the Goddess and seek her blessings for the well-being of their family. The organizers ensured that separate and multiple queue lines were available at the temple premises for women worshippers, facilitating their offering to the Goddess.

Photo: Anand Dharmana

With Sunday being a holiday, major Goddess temples in and around Secunderabad and Hyderabad were packed with devotees. Temples such as Jubilee Hills Peddamma Thalli Temple, Balkampet Renuka Yellamma Temple, Ashtalakshmi Temple in Kothapet, Kanakadurga Temple in Ameerpet, Jagadambika Temple in Golconda, and Bhagyalakshmi Temple at Charminar all witnessed a significant influx of worshippers.

Photo: Anand Dharmana

The presence of VVIPs and their family members, however, contributed to the crowds, especially at Ujjaini Mahakali Temple. and offered Bonalu along with their spouses. As a result, offering Bonalu was delayed by at least three hours for common devotees, and they waited in the queue lines.