Hyderabad: The four-week Bonalu celebrations in the city ended on Monday evening, with the Oracle Mathangi Anuradha preaching devotion and togetherness, and assuring that the Goddess would protect the people from harm, in the Rangam at the Lal Darwaza temple.
The Oracle, acting as a medium for the Bonalu deity, however, expressed anger towards worship practices. “You are not worshipping me correctly and wholeheartedly, but only performing puja ostensibly. You must remove anger and jealousy from your heart.”
“You are performing ‘Shanti puja’ but there is no tranquillity in it. Be calm and I will also remain and protect everyone,” she said.
She said that the floods in the state were an effect of a lack of devotion. “This is the result of your bad deeds and I am expressing my anger through floods and heavy rains. You should take up good causes and not cause trouble,” the Oracle said.
She called for the construction of a Mahankali temple. “Although it is my wish that a new temple is constructed, you are creating obstructions because of infighting. Work together so that the temple can be completed,” she said.
She assured that she would protect the people. “No matter how many hurdles come in the way, I make sure that my pooja happens smoothly. I will protect all of you if any obstacle comes as you are my children,” she said.
She directed every household to offer ‘ghantadeepam’ for five weeks, starting Friday, to calm her anger.
Monday marked the end of the ‘Ashada’ month of the Hindu calendar.
The Bonalu celebrations started on the first Sunday of the month at the Golconda Mahankali temple, following which high-profile celebrations were held at the Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad after the Covid-induced gap, and culminated with the events at the Simhavahini Mahankali temple in Lal Darwaza of Old City.
After weeks of religious processions and potharaju dancers thronging roads, traffic movement is expected to get smoother from Tuesday as traffic restrictions on arterial roads are expected to be removed.
