MUMBAI: Honouring the almighty with their ardent audience, Zee Telugu hosted Bonalu Jatara on July 14th at Kothagudem, Telangana. Bonalu, worshipping Goddess Amman, an annual festival of Telangana, was hosted this year by Zee Telugu’s Kutumbam and a cheering crowd witnessed the event in Kothagudem. Tune-in to watch your favourite television family pay their offerings to Mahakali Goddess on 29th July, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM only on Zee Telugu and Zee Telugu HD.

As an offering to the Mother Goddess, women prepare rice cooked with milk and jaggery in a new brass or earthen pot adorned with neem leaves, turmeric, and lit a lamp on the top of the pot. Women carry the pots on their heads and make an offering of Bonam along with turmeric-vermilion, bangles and a saree to the Mother Goddess across Temples. Some tranced women dance with balancing pots (Bonam), to the rhythmic beats of drums in honour of the local Goddess. Every group of devotees offer a Thottelu (a small colorful, paper structure supported by sticks), as a mark of respect.

The excessive rains through the day only heightened the celebrations with the residents of Kothagudem. Hosted by the popular duo, Ravi and Srimukhi, the evening witnessed a number of entertaining acts – Bithiri Sathi, an Indian TV anchor, reporter and actor, performed a refreshing act with Gangavva, popular YouTuber. A heart-touching Durga act was performed by television actors, Naveena Yata, Shivani and Amar, that centred around fighting against evils. 

Zee Telugu’s fiction artists seized the night with their smashing dance performances on popular songs. The hosts Ravi and Srimukhi gave the audience a special performance to carry home with them.