Latest news with #Mahakali
RNZ News
30-07-2025
- General
- RNZ News
South Indian communities celebrate Bonalu in Auckland
Bonalu celebrations in Auckland. Photo: Supplied/New Zealand Telangana Central Association The New Zealand Telangana Central Association and Telangana Association of New Zealand celebrated the annual Bonalu festival on 20 July in Auckland, with hundreds of devotees attending. The festival, which is popular in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, celebrates Hindu goddess Mahakali. On this day, women dressed in traditional clothes carry bonalu (offerings made of rice, jaggery, yoghurt and water that are kept in a pot decorated with turmeric and neem leaves) on their heads and perform a parikrama ritual, moving clockwise around a temple in an act of devotion. The bonalu are then offered to the goddess as devotees seek her blessing. According to the Indian government, the origins of the festival date back to the 19th century when a military battalion in the Indian city of Hyderabad prayed to the goddess to eradicate a plague that was devastating the city. Devotees believe the goddess eradicated the disease, and the battalion installed an idol of her in the city in honour of her actions. In Auckland, the bonalu ritual was performed at the Shri Ganesha Temple in Papakura and Mt Eden War Memorial Hall, with a communal meal featuring sacred offerings in the form of food to the gods called mahaprasadam highlighting the celebrations. "Apart from the traditional bonalu procession, we also performed other rituals including dravya abhishekam (bathing the deity with milk, water or honey), shakambari alankaranam (decorating the goddess with vegetables) and thrishathi archana (chanting the goddess' 300 names)," said Kalyan Rao Kasuganti, president of New Zealand Telangana Central Association. "Bonalu this year stood as a true symbol of devotion, cultural pride and community spirit."
Deccan Herald
22-07-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
July 22, 2025: Best photos from around the world
People gather outside the AKG Centre to pay their respects as the mortal remains of former Kerala chief minister and veteran CPI(M) leader V S Achuthanandan being brought in an ambulance, in Thiruvananthapuram. Credit: PTI Photo Vehicles stuck in a traffic jam as 'Kanwariyas' move on a road during their pilgrimage in the holy month of 'Shravan', in Haridwar. Credit: PTI Photo People take part in a procession of the 'ghatam' of goddess Mahakali of Akkanna Madanna temple on a caparisoned elephant as part of the 'Bonalu' festival celebration, near Charminar in the Old City of Hyderabad, Telangana. Credit: PTI Photo A man wades through a flooded area amid monsoon rains in Cainta, Rizal, Philippines. Credit: Reuters Photo
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Pratham Kunwar to play the lead role in upcoming TV show Jhalee Ki Kahani; says ‘It brings a fresh set of challenges'
Television actor Pratham Kunwar, known for his roles in Guddan - Tumse Na Ho Paayega, Yeh Hai Chahatein, Rajjo, and mythological dramas like Mahakali and Siya Ke Ram, is all set to return as the lead in the upcoming show Jhalee Ki Kahani. After winning hearts as Rishi in Beti Hamari Anmol, Pratham is stepping into a brand new character with this project. Speaking about his latest role, Pratham said, 'I'm truly excited about this new titular role because it's very different from anything I've done before. It brings a fresh set of challenges, but I'm fully prepared and looking forward to giving it my best.' The show's narrative centres around Nirvair (played by Pratham) and two best friends, Jhalee (Apeksha Malviya) and Amrit (Isha Kaloya), whose contrasting personalities shape the storyline. While Jhalee is lively and carefree, Amrit brings depth to the friendship dynamic, leading to an engaging story of love and friendship. Talking about his character, Pratham shared, 'I'm playing the role of Nirvair, I'm already in love with him and excited to begin this journey on screen, looking forward to entertain my audience and hope they enjoy watching me.' Jhalee Ki Kahani comes from a production house known for successful shows like Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, Choti Sardarni, Teri Meri Doriyaann, and Deewaniyat. On collaborating with them, Pratham said, 'This production house is undoubtedly one of the leading and most respected ones in the industry today. I'm genuinely thrilled to be associated with them. After meeting the producers Predeep Kumar and Rajesh Ram Singh, I was deeply impressed by their humility, supportiveness, and the immense passion they bring to their projects. I sincerely hope to live up to their expectations and deliver on their creative vision.'
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Rangam 2025 at Ujjaini Mahakali: Oracle predicts abundant rains for Telangana
The traditional Rangam or soothsayer ritual, one of the most awaited events during the Bonalu festival, was held with fervent devotion at the Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad on Monday (July 14, 2025). This year's oracle voice struck a deeply stirring and cautionary tone. Beginning with blessings and praise for the people's devotion, the possessed woman conveyed the goddess's happiness over the offerings made in her honour. Yet, her words soon turned to warning. The tradition believed to embody direct communication between the goddess Mahakali and her devotees, a woman — known as Vishwamatta or Shakti — in divine trance made predictions and emotional appeals for the year ahead. 'To all my people, to all my children, I am very happy. I have been blessed with wealth for a long time but every year, you play games with me. I have been saying this for seven years, you do not listen,' the oracle declared. The temple priest, representing the voice of the devotees, sought forgiveness and asked for guidance. The exchange that followed was emotionally charged, as the goddess demanded a greater degree of devotion and sacrifice, symbolised through the repeated phrase, 'Show me blood.' While acknowledging that pujas and offerings had been conducted well, the oracle stressed that it was not enough. 'I carried you in my womb, I protected you. but my patience is wearing thin,' she said. Among the moments of the ceremony was a prophecy foretelling a possible pandemic and the danger of fires in the near future. 'In the coming days, there will be a pandemic. You should be careful. Follow the rules. There will also be fire danger. I am warning you now,' she said. In response to the priest's enquiry about rainfall and harvests, traditionally foretold during the Rangam, the oracle offered some optimism. 'Yes, this year the rains will be good. The crops will be good. There will be sweets and festivals,' she said, before returning to a more somber tone. 'This year, it is my turn to stand. Show me blood. If you do not, I will not stay quiet' she warned. The ritual concluded with the priest bowing in prayer, seeking peace and reassurance. 'Don't show me blood. Bless me. Next year, everything will be fine. With your blessings, we will celebrate this festival.' Shortly after the Rangam, Telangana's Minister for BC Welfare and Civil Supplies, Ponnam Prabhakar, addressed the media and reiterated the State government's commitment to the Bonalu tradition. Referring to the prophecy of good rains and harvests, he said, 'It is a good sign for farmers and for people across the State. For everyone to live in happiness, the goddess has given her blessings.' He added that all rituals prescribed by shastra would be performed under official supervision through the Endowments Department. 'As instructed by the goddess through the prophecy, the State will respond with full responsibility,' he said.
Hans India
13-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Mahakali temple decked up for Lashkar Bonalu
Hyderabad: The two-day Bonalu festivities at the Ujjaini Mahakali temple in Secunderabad are scheduled for July 13 and 14. Marking the peak of Ashada month celebration, an estimated 40 lakh devotees are expected to attend the event. According to organisers, during the Ashada month, the Bonalu festival, also known as Lashkar bonalu transforms this temple into a spectacular hub of devotion. Devotees from across India and even from overseas plan their annual visits to coincide with these celebrations, ensuring they pay homage to the goddess during this auspicious time. The entire atmosphere comes alive with the chants of priests, the rhythmic beat of Pothurajus, vibrant dance performances, colorful processions of the goddess's symbolic pots, the media buzz, round-the-clock efforts by the police, decoration of temple and the watchful presence of political leaders. Together, they create an eightfold fortress of devotion and joy around the temple. In the temple, Chandi Devi and Bala Devi stand to Mahakali's left. Remarkably, during the temple's construction, an idol of Manikyalamma was unearthed and consecrated to Mahakali Mata's right. Opposite her sits Matamma, and nearby is Veerabhadra Swamy. Much like the radiant face of the goddess, the entire temple courtyard glows with a divine serenity, always brimming with devoted worshippers. A popular belief holds that during Ashada, the goddess and her 'sisters' visit their maternal home, blessing everyone in their community. Symbolically, the goddess's decorated pots are carried door-to-door, receiving prayers and offerings from every household and showering blessings in return. On the main day of the festival on Sunday, Mahakali Mata's divine form appears as radiant and luminous as moonlight, much like a cherished daughter returning home after a long time away. An equally remarkable tradition is the revered prophecy delivered by Jogini Swarnalatha. Every Monday during the festival, the highly anticipated Rangam ceremony takes place. Swarnalatha, who lives a celibate life entirely devoted to the goddess, invokes Mahakali to speak through her. Her words are keenly awaited not only by thousands of devotees but also by state officials, who listen to her divine counsel with great respect.
