Bonalu shopping goes digital as devotees order Bonam pots and puja kits online

Bonalu shopping is increasingly moving online, with devotees ordering Bonam pots, puja kits and festival essentials through e-commerce platforms. Despite the digital shift, Hyderabad's traditional markets continue to witness heavy footfall as many shoppers prefer buying and decorating ritual items in person.

Hyderabad: From crowded street corner markets to online marketplaces, is how the Bonalu festive shopping is changing this festive season, with devotees ordering traditional Bonam pots, puja kits and other ritual items through e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms.

Decorated clay pots, reusable brass and copper Bonam vessels, silver ritual pots, turmeric and kumkum containers, camphor, incense sticks, toranams and complete puja kits are now available online with doorstep delivery.

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The online festival shopping trend has become particularly popular among working professionals, women and elderly devotees who find it convenient to order festival items without having to visit crowded markets.

Vendors are also offering customised Bonam sets and ready-to-use festival kits, making preparations easier for families. Retailers have introduced brass Bonam pots in capacities ranging from 1 litre to 4 litre with a variety of traditional designs.

Meanwhile, several traders from Pot Market in Secunderabad, have expanded their reach through social media and online orders, delivering brass and silver ritual vessels directly to customers’ homes. Women participating in Bonalu processions are also increasingly buying traditional silk sarees and festival accessories online, benefiting from a wider range of choices and competitive prices.

“I used to spend hours visiting different markets for Bonalu shopping. This year I ordered the Bonam pot and puja kit online, and it saved me a lot of time. Everything was delivered before the festival,” said Preethi, a private employee.

However, the digital shift has not diminished the charm of traditional shopping. Markets such as Lal Darwaza, Monda Market and Begum Bazaar continue to attract thousands of shoppers who prefer selecting and decorating their Bonam pots in person before offering them to the Goddess.

Traders say both online platforms and conventional markets are witnessing brisk business this season, highlighting how technology is complementing, rather than replacing, the age old traditions.

“Footfall in the market is still strong because many devotees want to personally inspect the pots before buying. At the same time, we are receiving a growing number of orders through WhatsApp and social media, especially for brass and silver Bonam pots,” said Ramesh, a shop owner in Pot Market.