Bonam (bellam annam for Bonalu)
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
Rice cooked with milk and jaggery in a new pot, which women carry on their heads to offer to the Mother Goddess at Bonalu.
Region: Hyderabad, Secunderabad and across TelanganaOccasion: Bonalu festival in the month of Ashada (July–August)Time: 45 minServes: 1 offering potVegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw rice
- 2 cups milk
- 1½ cups water
- 1 cup grated jaggery
- 2 tbsp ghee
- ½ tsp cardamom powder
- A few cashews and raisins (optional)
Method
- Wash the rice. In a new clay or brass pot, bring the milk and water to a boil.
- Add the rice and cook on low heat, stirring now and then, until very soft.
- Add the jaggery and stir until it melts and blends into the rice.
- Add ghee, cardamom and the fried cashews and raisins.
- Cover the pot with a lid, and for the festival decorate it with turmeric, kumkum and neem leaves with a lamp on top before carrying it to the temple.
History
Bonam is usually derived from bhojanam, meaning a meal. Bonalu is celebrated in honour of goddesses such as Mahakali, Yellamma and Pochamma, especially in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
Significance
Women carry the decorated pots to the goddess's temple as thanks and to pray for protection from illness. Bonalu is celebrated as a State festival of Telangana.