The Bonalu Festival is a traditional festival celebrated in the South Indian state of Telangana for close to a month. The celebrations mark a form of thanksgiving and tribute to Goddess Mahakali in various regional forms. 

Bonalu comes from the word “Bhojanalu,” meaning a feast or lavish meal. This festival happens during the Ashada month (July-August). People believe that Goddess Mahakali visits her maternal home during this time to bless and protect them from sorrows and diseases.

The tradition of Bonalu began in 1813 when a plague struck Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Soldiers prayed to Goddess Mahakali in Ujjain, promising to build her temple if she stopped the plague. She answered their prayers, and the soldiers kept their promise, starting the Bonalu tradition.

Bonalu involves special prayers and offerings to the goddess. Women play a key role, waking up early and wearing new clothes. They dress in traditional sarees and jewellery.

A central part of the festival is making “bonam,” a dish of rice cooked with jaggery and milk or curd. This bonam is placed in a new pot, decorated with neem leaves, vermilion, and turmeric. Women carry these pots to the temple and offer them to the goddess. The Bonalu is then shared with family and friends, symbolising togetherness and blessings.

Bonalu is more than just prayers and offerings; it’s a grand cultural celebration. Pothuraju, the brother of Goddess Kali, leads the procession. Covered in turmeric and bells, he dances energetically, adding to the festival’s excitement.

The day after the main festival, the Rangam or Oracle act takes place. A woman believed to embody the goddess’s spirit, stands on a pot and predicts the future for devotees.

The Ghatam, a brass pot dressed like the goddess, is carried in a procession throughout the festival. The final immersion of the Ghatam at Nayapul marks the end of the celebrations.

Vijayalakshmi Deer Brand and Bonalu

Bonalu is also a time for delicious traditional food, and this is where Vijayalakshmi Deer Brand comes in. Their high-quality pulses and spices help families prepare authentic festival dishes. Whether it’s a simple dal or the special bonam, these products ensure every meal is tasty and true to tradition.

With the Vijayalakshmi Deer Brand, families can create festive dishes that honour the rich culinary heritage of Telangana.

Pulses and Legumes

Dal Recipes: Use Vijayalakshmi Deer Brand pulses such as toor dal, chana dal, and moong dal to create flavorful and nutritious dal dishes. A simple toor dal with a tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and red chillies is a perfect addition to the festive season.

Bonam Preparation: The traditional bonam, a dish made of rice cooked with jaggery and milk or curd can be made more tasty and nutritious, by adding a handful of soaked Vijayalakshmi Deer Brand moong dal.

Spices and Seasonings

Flavored Rice: Prepare aromatic rice dishes using Vijayalakshmi Deer Brand spices. A sprinkle of their high-quality turmeric and coriander powder can change a simple pulihora (tamarind rice) into a delightful festive dish.

Vegetable Curries: Use Vijayalakshmi Deer Brand chilli powder and garam masala to add aroma, taste and spice to your vegetable curries. These spices ensure your dishes are rich in flavour and colour, making them a must-have at any Bonalu gathering.

Snacks and Sweets

Savoury Snacks: Use Vijayalakshmi Deer Brand chickpea flour to make crispy pakoras or savoury besan chilla, perfect for snacking during the festivities.

Festive Sweets: Use their high-quality jaggery and cardamom powder in traditional sweets like laddu and payasam. These ingredients ensure your sweets are not only tasty but also carry the authentic flavour of the festival.

By adding Vijayalakshmi Deer Brand products to your Bonalu meals, you ensure that every dish is rich in tradition and bursting with flavour. Their commitment to quality and authenticity helps you create a festive spread that honours the cultural heritage of Telangana, making every celebration with Vijayalakshmi Deer Brand truly special.

By celebrating Bonalu, we honour a tradition of devotion and also enjoy the rich culinary practices of our culture. With Vijayalakshmi Deer Brand, every festival meal becomes a delicious and memorable experience.