South Indian Communities Embrace Bonalu Festival in Auckland

The annual Bonalu festival was celebrated in Auckland on July 20, 2023, by the New Zealand Telangana Central Association and the Telangana Association of New Zealand. This vibrant event attracted hundreds of devotees who gathered to honor the Hindu goddess Mahakali, a key figure in the festival, which is deeply rooted in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

During the festivities, women donned traditional attire and carried bonalu — offerings consisting of rice, jaggery, yoghurt, and water, beautifully presented in pots adorned with turmeric and neem leaves. Participants performed a parikrama ritual, moving clockwise around a temple in a gesture of devotion. These offerings were ultimately presented to the goddess as devotees sought her blessings for health and prosperity.

According to the Indian government, the origins of Bonalu can be traced back to the 19th century when a military battalion in Hyderabad prayed to Mahakali to rid the city of a devastating plague. Believing the goddess answered their prayers, the battalion established an idol in her honor, marking the beginning of this significant festival.

Rituals and Community Spirit Highlight Celebrations

In Auckland, the rituals took place at the Shri Ganesha Temple in Papakura and the Mt Eden War Memorial Hall. A key feature of the celebration was a communal meal, where participants shared sacred offerings known as mahaprasadam. This food, prepared with devotion, reinforces the sense of community among attendees.

Kalyan Rao Kasuganti, president of the New Zealand Telangana Central Association, spoke about the event’s significance: “Apart from the traditional bonalu procession, we also performed other rituals including dravya abhishekam, where the deity is bathed with milk, water, or honey, and shakambari alankaranam, which involves decorating the goddess with vegetables. Thrishathi archana, the chanting of the goddess’ 300 names, was also part of the celebration.”

Kasuganti emphasized that this year’s Bonalu festival was “a true symbol of devotion, cultural pride, and community spirit.” The event not only showcased the rich traditions of the South Indian community but also fostered a sense of belonging and unity among participants in Auckland.

As Bonalu continues to flourish outside India, celebrations like these serve as a bridge connecting cultures and preserving the heritage of the South Indian diaspora.