Hyderabad: In view of total lunar eclipse on July 27, the 11-day traditional Bonalu festival at Sri Akkanna-Madanna Mahankali Mandiram will begin on July 28 instead of July 27 a day behind schedule.
The 70th annual Bonalu festival will begin with Maha Abhishekam at 6 am followed by Kalasha sthapana at 9 am and Dwajarohanam at 11 am on July 28. Main Bonalu festival will be celebrated on August 5 and concludes with Matha Ghatam procession on August 6. Samuhika Kumkumarchana by women devotees will be performed on all Fridays in the month of Aashadam i.e. on July 20, August 3, August 10 and 17. The Samuhika Kumkumarchana will not be conducted on July 27 (Friday) in view of the Sampoorna Chandra grahanam on that day.
The Matha Ghatam will be brought in a procession from Kashi Vishwanatha Temple, Shalibanda via Laldarwaza crossroads, Nagulachintha, Laldarwaza, Balagunj, Gowlipura and Bela and will be installed in the temple on July 29. Special pujas will be performed to Matha Ghatam every day up to the Bonalu festival. The Rudra Thrishakthi Homam will be conducted at 6 pm on July 30. Jai Mathadi Bhagavathi Jagaran will be held at 8 pm on July 31. Shakambari Alankara puja will be at performed at 11 am on August 1 and Photo Exhibition on Bonalu will be inaugurated at 5pm on the same day. The photos of last seven decades will be exhibited.
Laksha Kunkumarchana puja will be held at 4 pm on August 3. Chandi Havan will be performed at 12 noon, Laksha Pushparchana at 4pm and Thottela procession from 7.30 pm on August 4. The main Bonalu festival will be celebrated on August 5. Ammavari Shanti Kalyanam will be performed by Veda pundits at 7 pm. Mahankali Jathara and procession will be held on August 6. After potharaju swagatham at 11 am, Rangam will be held at 1 pm. Matha Ghatam will be taken out in a procession on a well decorated elephant at 4pm and pass through Bela, Nehru Statue, Lal Darwaza X road, Shah Ali Banda, Charminar, Pattargati, Madina and reach to Matha temple at Musi River Nayapool where the 10 days festival concludes. On this occasion elocution, Rangoli, Running and Cycling competitions will be conducted.
The Temple Committee is making all arrangements with the help of Police, Municipal, Electricity, HMWWS, R&B, Information and Cultural, Medical and Health, Forest Department, Nehru Zoological Park and other departments. (NSS)