Ashadam Jatara begins, 40 lakh devotees to join
The stage is set for the historic Golconda Bonalu, known as Ashadam Jatara, at the Sri Jagadamba Mahankali Temple in Golconda Fort on Sunday.
The temple is said to be more than 900 years old and the Bonalu festivities start every year at there before moving to Secunderabad and other temples in the twin cities.
Officials expect a total of 40 lakh devotees to take part in the festive season which starts on July 15 and ends on August 12. The festival is celebrated mostly on five Sundays and four Wednesdays.
On the first day, ministers Nayini Narasimha Reddy, Talasani Srinivas Rao and Indrakaran Reddy among others will present ‘Pattu Vasthralu’ to the goddess at the fort temple.
The rath yatra will wind its way from Langer Houz chowrasta to Golconda via Chota Bazaar. Like every year since the Nizam period, the first bonam will be taken from the Patellamma house.
Foretelling the future of the state by the oracle, or rangam, is one of the important events during Bonalu.
Ms Revathi Jogini Mathanji, who predicted the state’s fortune last year at the Bujili Mahankali temple near Golconda fort, said, “The most important part of the festival is the process of presenting the bonam to the Goddess with a pure heart. It is an important state festival. All the predictions that the goddess made me speak came true. It rained well and the yield was good. We are eagerly waiting for the start of the festival.”
Mr K. Mahendra Kumar, executive officer, stated that the temple management had taken all necessary precautions and made arrangements to handle the devotees who are expected to throng the temple.
“We are expecting 1.5 lakh people on the first day of the festival. The government has asked for coordination between all the departments for the smooth celebration of the festival,” Mr Kumar said.