PV Sindhu Performs Bonam Ritual at Shri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple

PV Sindhu Performs Bonam Ritual at Shri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple (Instagram/pvsindhu1)

Hyderabad: Celebrated badminton champion PV Sindhu offered Maru Bonam to Goddess Sri Mahankali at the historic Lal Darwaja Simhavahini Mahankali Temple in Hyderabad’s Old City, as part of the grand Bonalu Festival 2025. The event, rooted in deep cultural and spiritual traditions, drew large crowds of devotees and admirers, who witnessed the star athlete participate in the vibrant ritual.

PV Sindhu at the Bonalu Festival

PV Sindhu’s presence at the temple brought a unique charm to this year’s Bonalu celebrations, an annual festival dedicated to Goddess Mahankali, symbolizing gratitude and devotion. Clad in traditional attire, Sindhu carried the sacred Bonam, an offering of rice, jaggery, curd, and water in a decorated pot on her head, paying homage to the deity for blessings of protection and prosperity.

Significance of Bonalu and the Maru Bonam

The Bonalu Festival, celebrated across Telangana in the month of Ashada (July–August), is marked by women offering Bonam to Goddess Mahankali. The Maru Bonam, or the second offering, is performed by devotees as part of the concluding rituals. It reflects the community’s faith and thanks to the goddess for health, prosperity, and protection from evil.

Devotees Gather at Lal Darwaja Temple 

The Lal Darwaja Simhavahini Mahankali Temple, a centuries-old shrine is one of Hyderabad’s most revered Bonalu pilgrimage sites. Thousands of devotees gathered to witness the rituals, which featured traditional drummers, dancers, and cultural performances, turning the temple complex into a spectacle of devotion and festivity.

Bonalu Festival 2025 in Full Swing

The Bonalu Festival in Hyderabad is known for its vibrant processions, decorated temples, and spiritual fervor. This year’s festivities, with the participation of public figures like PV Sindhu, have added to the festival’s grandeur, drawing national attention to Telangana’s unique cultural heritage.