Bonas are one of the traditional folk festivals celebrated in the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana during the Telugu month of Ashada (July or August). During this festival, women prepare Bonam (brass pot) filled with milk, jaggery and cooked rice and perform special pujas for Mahakali Amma. The pot is decorated with turmeric, neem leaves, kumkum and is offered to Goddess as a thanksgiving by carrying on their heads.

The Bonalu celebrations start at the Golconda fort on the first Sunday, the second Sunday at the Ujjaini Mahakali temple in Secunderabad and Balkampet Yellamma temple in Balkampet. The third Sunday is at the Pochamma and Katta Maisamma temple and Matheswari temple of Lal Darwaza in the old city during the Telugu month Ashaadam. Other temples such as the Akkana Madanna Temple in Haribouli and the Muthyalamma Temple in Shah Ali Banda are famous venues for Bonalu. Millions of devotees flock to the temples to visit Goddess Mahakali.

Key Attraction: Women prepare a Bonam and offer it to the Goddess by carrying it on their heads, Pothuraju, Rangam, Ghatam.

When: July-August.

Where: Twin Cities and other parts of Telangana.

Duration of Festival: Four Sundays of Ashadam where two days are celebrated in different areas.