Greater Cincinnati Telangana Association Celebrates Bonalu in Ohio

The Greater Cincinnati Telangana Association (GCTA) marked a grand celebration of Bonalu, a traditional festival from the Telangana region of India, on Sunday, July 28, at Lake View Acres Park in Lebanon, Ohio. This event holds historical significance as GCTA was the pioneer in bringing the Bonalu festival to the United States, with the first celebration dating back to 2012. Despite continuous rain throughout the afternoon, the enthusiasm of the 250 devotees remained undeterred. The festivities commenced around 5:30 PM amidst cloudy skies and a refreshing breeze.

The event was vibrant, with women dressed in colorful sarees carrying "bonam" (an offering) and "aarathi" on their heads, making their way to a beautifully adorned stage. The stage, decorated with Ammavari’s photograph, flowers, and banana leaves, served as the focal point for the rituals. Accompanied by devotional music, some men, known as "potharajus," danced joyously, adding to the festive atmosphere. The women, joined by children and adults alike, circled the stage in a traditional procession before offering their bonam to Ammavaru, the goddess. The event concluded with a communal prayer, where devotees queued to seek blessings.

Following the rituals, the organizers provided traditional Telangana cuisine and prasadam (holy offering) to all attendees. GCTA leaders, including Narasimha Rao Nagulavancha, Lavaker Reddy, and Prabhakar Reddy Rampa, expressed their gratitude to the volunteers for their dedication and to the devotees for their overwhelming participation, ensuring the event's grand success.