Telangana Bonalu Festival, highlighted by the mystical Rangam ritual, serves as a vibrant manifestation of Telangana’s folk culture, intertwining faith, music, and communal harmony. Held at the Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad, the festival emphasizes the region's unique belief in divine guidance, while colorful processions, traditional dances, and offerings underscore its rich heritage. Participants, both locals and visitors, can immerse themselves in Telangana's cultural vibrancy, experiencing a festival that represents both a spiritual journey and a celebration of the state’s legacy.
Telangana's folk culture is a lively tapestry woven from traditions, music, dance, and spirituality, with deep roots in its rural past. The Bonalu Festival, celebrated in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, stands out annually as a distinctive showcase of this cultural wealth. Taking place during the Ashada month (July/August), the 2025 Bonalu Festival is scheduled from June 26 to July 24, bringing to life the devotion of Telangana’s residents to Goddess Mahakali. A standout feature of this festival is the Rangam ritual, a divine oracle event at the Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad, where a woman channels the Goddess to predict the future. This article delves into the fascinating folk traditions of Bonalu, highlighting the mystical Rangam ritual and its significance to Telangana's cultural identity.
Heart of Bonalu - Faith and Folk Tradition
The term ‘Bonalu’ is derived from the Telugu word “Bhojanalu,” meaning feast or meal, and it is a Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Mahakali, who is revered as a protector against evil and illness. The festival, celebrated extensively across Telangana, particularly in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, beautifully encapsulates the state’s folk culture through its rituals, music, and community engagement. Women create an offering known as Bonam, a pot—either brass or clay—filled with cooked rice, jaggery, and milk, adorned with neem leaves, turmeric, and vermilion. In vibrant processions, they carry these offerings on their heads to temples, accompanied by lively drumbeats and folk songs.
This event is a harmonious fusion of devotion and cultural expression, enhanced by dances such as Thottela and performances from Potharaju, a figure embodying the Goddess’s brother, who adds lively energy to the celebrations. The 2025 Bonalu Festival commenced on June 26 at the Sri Jagadambika Temple in Golconda Fort and will wrap up on July 24, with major festivities occurring at notable temples like Ujjaini Mahakali in Secunderabad (July 13-14) and Simhavahini Mahakali in Lal Darwaza (July 20-21). The festival's processions, vibrant in color and traditional attire, illuminate Telangana's deep sense of community and devotion to the divine feminine.
Rangam: Divine Oracle of Secunderabad
A unique and mystical aspect of the festival is the Rangam ritual, which takes place the morning after the main Bonalu day. At the Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple, a woman, believed to embody the spirit of the Goddess, stands atop an earthen pot to deliver prophecies about the year ahead. Known as “Performing the Oracle,” this ritual attracts thousands of devotees seeking insight on matters ranging from agriculture to health and politics.
In 2025, Kumari Erupula Swarnalatha, a sixth-generation oracle, mesmerized audiences with her forecasts, which included predictions of bountiful rainfall and divine protection for both Telangana and the country. The Rangam ritual is deeply embedded in the folk traditions of Telangana, merging spirituality with the community’s trust in divine wisdom. The oracle, often in a trance-like state, answers devotees’ queries, shedding light on personal matters and the region’s prospects. This ancient practice emphasizes the belief in the Goddess’s ability to guide and shield her followers. Accompanying the ritual are traditional musical performances and the spirited Potharaju Aata, where a dancer in a turmeric-smeared red dhoti performs energetically with a whip to ward off malevolent spirits, enriching the cultural landscape of the festival.
Historical Roots of Bonalu
The Bonalu Festival boasts a poignant history, tracing back to 1813 during a plague that afflicted Hyderabad and Secunderabad. A military battalion stationed in Ujjain prayed to Goddess Mahakali at the Mahakaleshwara Temple, vowing to construct a temple in her honor if the disease ceased. Upon the plague's decline, the soldiers honored their promise by establishing the Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad and initiating the Bonam offering, marking the festival's inception. This tale of gratitude and divine intervention imbues Bonalu with profound significance, symbolizing faith and resilience.
Women craft the Bonam with care, adorning pots with neem leaves and turmeric, which symbolize purity and gratitude. These offerings are paraded in grand processions, epitomizing Telangana's artistic heritage and communal bonds.
Potharaju, depicted as a muscular figure donned in a red dhoti and turmeric, leads the processions with his vigorous dance, believed to safeguard devotees from evil spirits. His performance is a festival highlight, seamlessly merging strength with spirituality. Women and children engage in the Thottela dance, backed by traditional folk songs that recount tales of Mahakali's strength. These performances uphold Telangana's oral traditions and musical legacy. A decorated copper pot, symbolizing the Goddess, is carried by a priest in a joyous procession, often seen placed on an elephant at temples like Akkanna Madanna in Haribowli, creating a festive carnival ambiance with accompanying drums and folk music.
Why Rangam and Bonalu Matter?
The Rangam ritual and Bonalu Festival transcend mere religious observances; they celebrate Telangana’s cultural identity. This festival unites communities from diverse backgrounds, as individuals join together in processions and celebrations. In 2014, the Telangana government officially recognized Bonalu as a state festival, promoting it internationally to showcase the region’s rich heritage.
In 2025, cultural workshops and storytelling sessions in schools are set to further engage younger generations with these cherished traditions. The divine predictions during the Rangam carry profound significance, offering hope and guidance during uncertain times. For example, Swarnalatha’s forecast of abundant rainfall in 2025 was met with optimism, reflecting Telangana’s agricultural dependence on monsoons. These prophecies, deeply rooted in folk practices, reinforce the community’s trust in the Goddess’s protective presence.
