Hyderabad: For the first time in history, the bonam will be presented in a 3.8-kg golden pot to the goddess at the Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad on Bonalu on Sunday. The gold was donated over the years by devotees.
Nearly 10 kgs gold was melted from the kanukas (donations). After using gold for the pot, the rest is being preserved in a locker and will be utilised for a golden saree for the goddess, which might be presented during the Navaratri festivities. The tender has been secured by Manepally Jewellers.
Unlike every year, the family of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will present the first bonam to the goddess. Traditionally, it is done by the family of the temple trustee.
Endowments minister A. Indrakaran Reddy will hand over the bangaru bonam to TRS MP K. Kavitha, the daughter of Mr Chandrasekhar Rao. A Shoba Yatra will then begin from Adayyanagar Kaman to the Ujjaini Mahankali temple at about 8.30 am.
The bonam in the golden pot will be presented to the goddess along with those offered by 1,108 women devotees, all wearing similar saris. On Monday, Rangam Swarnalatha, who is said to possess the goddess’ spirit, will predict the state’s future.
Ujjaini Mahankali temple executive officer Annapurna said arrangements have been made for the festival with coordination with various departments. “The goddess will be decorated with a Pochampally sari, that was specially woven in the temple premises. In addition to that the jewellery presented by minister Talasani Srinivas Rao, a nose-stud and a bindi made of diamond, will also be used,” Ms Annapurna said.
Mr Suriti Krishna Mudhiraj, chairman and sixth generation temple trustee, said, “About 35 lakh people participated in the festival last year, and this year we are expecting about 50 lakh.”
Apart from the banguru bonam, he said this year, Bonalu was happening on the same ‘thithi’ as 63 years ago. “This is believed to be a powerful day for the goddess and She possesses miraculous powers at the auspicious time,” he said.
The temple, built in 1813 by Suriti Appayya, allows people of all castes to enter the premises.
Passes have been provided to people in three shifts from 5 am to 9 am, 2 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 10 pm. Ministers, politicians and prominent visitors will be given time between the first and the second phases.
