Twin cities gearing up for Bonalu

The normally busy 'X' roads at Langar House wore a festive look on Thursday last. So did the lane leading to Golconda Fort via Chhota Bazaar and the heritage structure itself. The Aashadha maasam has brought in relieving monsoons and irresistible discount sales coupled with an opportunity to rediscover our age-old traditions and customs.

Yes, the Bonalu festival has begun customarily with much fanfare, spreading its charm beyond the boundaries of the state. The ritual, that the Telangana region is renowned for, dates back to more than 400 years - when the Nizams had their fair share in preserving our rich cultural heritage.

Bonalu (meaning prasadam offered to the deity) usually consists of rice, vegetables, honey, jiggery and curd filled in three pots. "Decorated with turmeric/vermillion paste and neem leaves, the pots (clay ones are now being replaced with bronze and silver pots) are topped with a deepam that is offered to the deity after taking out a procession," says K Krishna, one of the members of Central Peace and Welfare Committee at Langar House division.

Draped in color papers and embellished with turmeric/vermillion paste, the thotte (a makeshift bamboo dome) carrying the images of Goddess Jagadambika or Renukamba and Her six sisters welcomes all and sundry. The procession culminating at the Fort (nearly 7 km) is taken out only after pattu vastrams and pooja are offered to the thotte.

"The presiding deity of Jagadamba Mahankali Temple at Golconda Durgam receives the first pooja amongst all the seven siblings. At Golconda Jagadamba Bonalu, pooja is performed in five intervals on Thursdays and Sundays. The sixth pooja (Laskhar Bonalu) is offered at Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad followed by the one at Laldarwaaza Mahankali Bonalu in Old City," informs N Jagadish, Maithri Committee member.

While the teen maar and fierce dance steps of poturajulu (considered the brothers of the Goddesses) keep the spirits high, devotion overflows in every moment during the fiesta.

The concept evolved when many people had lost their lives to communicable diseases, several years ago, during monsoons. "Unaware of the scientific reasons behind their practices, our ancestors (irrespective of caste, religion and creed) believed that the Goddesses were showering health on them. We're just rediscovering the beauty in the rituals and keeping it alive," wonders Laxman, who has been donning the role of Poturaju for 15 years now.

Rafajjahaan, a resident of Moti Darwaza partaking in the festivities for the last 20 years, is quite inspired by the spirit of togetherness that bonalu proclaims. "The festival has been a testimonial to the feel of 'unity' prevalent among us Muslims and Hindus for several years. Both my sons were roped in to the Maithri committee by the city police to extend help in peacefully conducting the carnival.

"The festival has thousands and lakhs of devotees coming down from the nearby places and other states. Hence, we deployed around 400 policemen to ensure safety and security," quips G Sridhar, Inspector of Police, Langar House police station.

"Accommodation and drinking water are being taken care of in view of the huge rush in coming days," informs Padmanabham, Chairman of Golconda Jagadambika Temple committee.

Green Ganeshas in the making

The State Government and NGOs are putting their best efforts to advocate the use of eco-friendly colors and materials in making the idols for Ganesh Chaturdhi...

With Ganesh Chaturdhi round the corner, the twin cities are gearing up for the 11-day carnival that grabs eyeballs for reasons galore. However, 'water pollution' caused during the festivities has been the talk of the town for years now. The government and several

NGOs are, as usual, leaving no stone unturned to promote 'eco-friendly Ganesh'.

Around 23,000 idols would be consecrated this year in the twin cities and the number might shoot up, according to Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi. While the government and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) are believed to be offering incentives to artists in using natural colors, NGOs like Forum for A Better

Hyderabad and Society for Awareness and Vision on Environment (SAVE) are advocating the use of natural materials like grass, clay and paper instead of plaster of paris and paints in making the idols.

"This year, we are planning to distribute for free some 50,000 eco-friendly (eight-inch for household pooja and five-foot for pandals) idols painted with natural colors, out of which 500 are non- colored clay models. The idols of smaller size are meant for the devotees to take home for the festival while the 500 bigger ones measuring above four feet will be distributed to pandals. Around 15-20 artists from West Bengal are working on these idols at NTR Gardens," informs Vijay Ram, an artist working with the SAVE.

Known for its huge dimensions, the around 45-46 foot Ganesh statue at Khairatabad this time will advocate 'world peace' with the Lord setting out his journey on Hamsavahanam and Pushpaka Vimanam. "Decked up more in natural colors instead of Nerolac Paints (lead-free though), our Ganesh is eco-friendly to a great deal this time," says S Sudarshan, Secretary, Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee.

"We are left with some colors distributed by the government last year. With some more to be disseminated this year, the Ganesh idol is all set to wear a 'green' look. Our website - ganapathideva.org - keeps informing the public about the daily updates on making of the murat," tells Raj Kumar, Organizing Secretary.

When inquired about the hue and cry over pollution, vice-president of Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi Karodimal Narsingh Puria said, "Neither the paints nor the material used in making the idols are contributing to water pollution anymore. Now the HMDA is taking up the cleanup drive at Hussainsagar and other water bodies immediately after visarjan. Moreover, we are putting forth our best efforts in propagating 'Green Ganesh'. The rest is with the government to enlighten the public."

• The Pollution Control Board in association with Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University is organizing a workshop for artistes and Ganesh Utsav Committees on the use of natural colors for the idols.

• Though the festival is ahead, the APPCB is inactive in taking up the necessary steps.