Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu Jathara at Secunderabad is the biggest cultural festival in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. In 2010, the date of Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu Jathara is August 1, Sunday. Rangam is celebrated on August 2, Monday. Bonalu Jathara is held on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thurdsdays during Ashada masam in Andhra Pradesh, especially in Telangana region.
Ujjaini Mahankali is considered as most powerful Goddess and worshipped by devotees throughout the state of Andhra Pradesh, especially Telangana region. Ujjain Mahakali idol was installed in the first half of the 19th century. It is said that Ujjaini Mahakali idol was brought from Ujjain city.
In the beginning of 19th century, some army people arrived to Telangana region and observed many people were struck by Cholera in this region. When they visited Mahakali Temple at Ujjain city, they worshipped Goddess Mahakali to save Telangana people from Cholera. As a grace of Goddess, Cholera was completely vanished from the region.
To save the people of Telangana region and to make them healthy and prosperous, devotees brought the idol of Mahakali Goddess from Ujjain Mahakali temple to Secunderabad and installed it. Since then, to please and praise the Goddess, Ashada Bonalu Jathara is held at Ujjaini Mahankali temple at Secunderabad.
Rangam – the Ritual of Future Prediction in Bonalu Jathara at Ujjaini Mahankali Temple:
Rangam is a ritual performed by a woman, who is devoted to the Goddess. Rangam festival is observed on the second or last day during Bonalu Jathara. During Rangam, the devoted woman goes in to Shigam (trance) and loudly announces the future predictions. It is very hard to control or to make her calm during Rangam. With Rangam festival, Mahankali Jathara Bonalu at Ujjaini Mahakali temple at Secunderabad is culminated.
Other main rituals during Ashada Bonalu are – Ghata Sthapan (Kalasha Sthapana), Ghatam, Pothuraju Swagatham and Mahakumbabhishekham.