Telugu Association of Malaysia

UP The festival of Bonalu is a much awaited celebration time for the people of the Telangana region. This century old tradition is celebrated with utmost gaiety and devotional fervor. Coming as it does during the month of Ashadh, the one-month long festival is marked by devotional singing and ritualistic worship to the village deities Yellamma, Mahankali, Maisamma, Pochamma, Gundamma. The word "Bonalu" is derived from "Bhojanalu" meaning food, which is offered to the Goddess. A typical feature of the Bonalu festival are the `ghatams' or decorated pots filled with flowers, which are carried on the heads by the women folk in a procession. Potharaju, who is believed to be the protector of the village, accompanies the women folk. Attired in dhoti, the Potharaju is a well-built man with turmeric smeared all over his body, a garland around his neck, vermilion on his forehead and bells tied to his ankle. He carries a whip and lashes it against his body to the sound of the drum (dappu) beats. Sometimes he goes into a trance and predicts the future of the community. Special poojas are performed to Goddess Jagadambika (Yellamma) on the first and last day of the festival. The `ghatams' as such are worshipped daily at the Yellamma temples and `Bonalu' offered on the final day of Aashad. A procession of these ghatams is taken out on the last day and immersed in the river. The festival is celebrated with aplomb in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The Sree Jagadambika temple atop the Golconda Fort attracts large number of devotees from neighboring districts. The State government also performs pooja officially, on behalf of the people. It is believed that rulers of the successive dynasties, including tolerant Muslim emperors, celebrated Bonalu festival at the temple of Goddess Jagadambika inside the Golconda Fort. Such was the popularity of this festival. Thus, Bonalu is a festival of offering and families share the offering among their members. It is also an annual thanksgiving by the people to the Goddess for fulfillment of their vows. UP

DEEPAVALI -The Festival of Lights

UP Deepavali, the festival of lights, comes close on the heels of Dasara. It is a festival that marks the victory of good over evil. Deepavali means a "row of lights", and it brings along with it glowing happiness and the touch of sparklers all around. In India, Deepavali is synonymous with the nightly bursting of fire- crackers and the beautiful decoration of the houses with earthenware lamps which is a feast for the eyes.Over the years, there seems to be a change in the perception of life styles of people and they are growing conscious of possessing new acquisitions. Another change is that traditional earthenware lamps and candles are slowly being replaced by electrical lighting. Deepavali is indeed a much awaited festival in India for the sheer joy and happiness of exchanging gifts, decorating their houses and the fun and excitement of bursting fire crackers by the young and old alike. UP

GANESH CHATURTHI

UP The festival of Ganesh or Vinayak Chaturthi, the day on which Ganesh was born. It is the most joyous event of the year . Throughout India the festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm and devotion. In Andhra Pradesh, like Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated for ten days. It is said that Ganesh was the creation of Goddess Parvati, who breathed life into a doll which she made out of the dough she was using for her bath. UP

KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI

UP The birth of Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu in the Dwapar Yuga, is celebrated all over India as Krishna Janmashtami. This day is marked by religious festivity and devotion. Lord Krishna or "He who is all-attractive", descended on this earth to subdue the rakshasas ruthlessly and save mankind from all evils. He is regarded as the epitome of transcendental qualities which made him the most loved one. As per mythology, the birth of Lord Krishna is as follows. Kamsa, who ruled Mathura after usurping it from his father Ugrasena, was a wicked king. None could stop his atrocities and save themselves from his torcherous deeds. One day, after the marriage of Devaki (his sister) and Vasudeva, Kamsa was charioteering, when suddenly a voice from the sky warned him that the eighth child of Devaki would one day destroy him and put an end to all his sinful deeds. Perturbed and furious, Kamsa ordered the imprisonment of his sister and brother-in-law at Vajra, a village eight miles across river Yamuna near Mathura. When the first child was born to Devaki, Kamsa killed it immediately. Thus, everytime an infant was born it met with the same fate. However, before the birth of the eighth child, a voice from heaven instructed Vasudeva to exchange the child-to-be-born with his friend Nand's yet-to-be-born baby. On the fateful midnight when Devaki delivered her eighth child, there occurred a tempest with dark thundering clouds drowning the cries of the little-born. It was a divine ordain. Vasudeva put the baby boy in a cushion of leaves within a basket and carried him on his head. Braving the storm, he waded across the gushing waters of the Yamuna. Miraculously, the snake adisesha appeared around the basket and with its hood protected the infant from hail and storm. Vasudeva reached Gokulam, where Yasodha had just given birth to a baby girl. His friend Nand, the ruler of Gokulam, took Vasudeva's boy and gave his own infant, promising to keep it a secret. With Nand's child in the basket, Vasudeva returned to the prison and suddenly the rage of the hurricane calmed down. At the crack of dawn, the cries of the new-born filled the air and brought Kamsa straight to the prison. There, he saw the eighth child - his destroyer, with Devaki and Vasudeva and his blood curdled. He lifted the baby and threw her against the ceiling. Lo and behold, the infant, who was actually "Shakti" or "Durga", flew out of sight and a thunderous voice once again reverberated in the sky. It scorned at Kamsa's foolish killings and warned him that his destroyer was alive and will one day put him to death. The thought of an insecure life sent chills down his spine. Meanwhile, at Gokulam (the place where cowherds and cowboys inhabited), news spread about the birth of a baby boy to Yasodha. The gopis or cowherds rushed to take a glimpse of the dusky new- born child. There was revelling all around to mark the birth of the little one who was named Krishna - the attractive one. Since His early days itself, Krishna showed qualities of His supernatural being. He was frivolous and notorius for stealing His favorite "venna"/"maakhan" or butter. He was the apple of everyone's eyes. Every woman called Him her own child and held Him dear to their heart. Krishna spent His adolescence at Brindavan where He won the hearts of the gopikas, the women who milked the cows. He aroused feelings of love in them and they were steeped in His devotion. For them, He was the embodiment of love and manhood and every woman wanted a husband like Krishna. At every stage Krishna fulfilled the purpose of his reincarnation. He slayed Kamsa, exhibited incredible feats to save the people of Brindavan from disasters and went on to deliver the holy preachings of "Bhagwad Gita". Krishna was born on the "ashtami" day - the middle of a fortnight in the Lunar system. Any person born on this day exhibits extreme qualities, either very strong and handsome or cruel. The object of Krishna's birth was to bring about a victory of good over evil. Thus, Janmashtami marks the celebrations of Krishna's birth, the incarnation of Vishnu, one of the Hindu Triumvarate, who came onto earth to cleanse the sins of the human beings. The modern day festivity recreates the birth of the Lord. It is celebrated with utmost gaiety and fervor in Mathura and Brindavan. The towns are colorfully decorated wearing a festive look. The main temple at Mathura and Brindavan are bedecked with flowers and Lord Krishna is clothed in jewellery. The rituals begin ahead of time in the evening and culminate at midnight, the time of Krishna's birth. A crawling image of Krishna is cradled amidst singing of bhajans and chantings of Hare Rama Hare Krishna. The entire proceedings of the celebration is broadcast live by Doordarshan (Indian Television) and All India Radio. In South India, Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, as it is called, is celebrated with prayers, devotional renditions and offering of fruits and special prasadams to Lord Krishna. People usually observe fast on this day. In the houses, mango leaves are tied to the doorways to mark the auspicious occasion. Colorful floral designs are drawn on the front yard. Inside the house, a small woodden mandapam is erected and decorated with flowers and plantain leaves. An icon of a crawling Krishna in a silver cradle or leaf is placed in the mandapam. In some houses, a typical setting of Gokulam is arranged with mud images of Devaki, Vasudeva with little Krishna perched in a basketon his head, a cow, besides other things related to Krishna's legends. Small foot marks produced by impressions with rice powder mixed with water are believed to symbolically recreate the coming of Krishna into peoples' homes. Janmashtami is thus yet another celebration of God's omnipresence. UP

NAGULA CHAVITHI

UP Nagula Chavithi is celebrated on the fourth day after Deepavali, which falls on a New Moon day. On this day serpents are worshipped with great devotion and religious fervor. On this day women and children observe fast and worship snake god. Dressed in their festive best, they offer milk at the snake hills. On this day there is a great demand for snake hills. Some complete the ritual at home placing a picture or idol of a snake. Nagula Chavithi is celebrated twice a year during the months of Karthika and Sravanam. 'Nagula' means of the snakes and 'Chavithi' is the fourth day after every New Moon or Full Moon day. It is interesting to note that snakes are accorded a place of worship in Hindu religion and are given a prime place by the Hindu gods. While it adorns Lord Siva's neck, Lord Vishnu made it his bed in His heavenly abode, the celestial ocean of milk. He reclines majestically on its coils, with the open hood as cover over His head. Legend has it that Lord Siva swallowed the poison that emerged during the churning of the ocean by gods and demons in search of Amrutham (the nectar of immortality). A snake was used as rope in the process and a terrible poison (garalam) was one of the many things that emerged from it. It would have engulfed the whole world, but for Lord Siva, who swallowed it and retained it in His throat, lest it kill Him. His throat turned blue - hence He is called "Neelakantha". However, a few drops fell out and to ward off the evil effects people worship the Cobra, the king of snakes, to pacify the brood and protect themselves from their deadly poison. Of the "saptha lokas" (seven worlds) of the universe referred to in the Hindu mythology, 'sarpa lokam' (world of snakes) is one. Even today, many orthodox Hindus do not kill snakes. When they come across one, particularly a Cobra, they pay obeisance and step aside. Some name their children after it, if it appears in their dream. Seven-hooded Cobra is worshipped on this day, if available, with oleanders. "Chimmili" (sweet made with sesame seeds and jaggery) and "Chalimidi" (sweet made with rice and jaggery) are offered to the deity. Women observe fast on this day. UP

SANKRANTI

UP HARVEST FESTIVAL SANKRANTI is an important festival for Telugus and people in rural Andhra look forward to this harvest festival, which has different attractions for different people. With crops harvested people have both money and leisure to make merry with. Farmers give new clothes and grain to the laborers who work for them. Houses are spruced up, cattle are bathed and decorated. Womenfolk vie with each other displaying their skills drawing a variety of eye-catching and artistic `muggulu' (floral patterns on the floor) in their neatly swept front yards sprinkled with cow-dung water. The chirpy voices of young girls clad in traditional colorful `langa-voni' and putting `gobbemmalu' (cow dung balls decked with marigold or pumpkin flowers) on the muggulu and singing `gobbellu' enliven the surroundings. Housewives are busy preparing mouth-watering delicacies and preserving them from the prowling children. Gangireddulu, buda-budakkalu and daasarlu going around singing songs and collecting gifts and alms are a common sights. The celebrations last for 3 to 4 days, the first day is Bhogi, the second day being Sankranti and the third day as Kanuma. The fourth day, Mukkanuma, is also celebrated by some. Bhogi, the first day is marked with gaiety. People wake up early to put up a bon fire (Bhogi manta) with all the agricultural wastes and firewood to keep warm during this last lap of winter. This is followed by a traditional oil bath after which new clothes are worn. SANKRANTI The Sun enters the Makara raasi (the zodiac sign of Capricorn - the goat), on Sankranti day, signifying the onset of Uttarayana Punyakalam. Traditionally, this period is considered an auspicious time and the veteran Bhishma of Mahabharata chose to die during this period. Bhishma fell to the arrows of Arjuna. With his boon to choose the time of his death, he waited on a bed of arrows to depart from this world only during this period. It is believed that those who die in this period have no rebirth. One month preceding Sankranti is called Dhanurmasam and is also an auspicious period. People wake up early, complete their morning ablutions and go around the streets singing devotional songs. Houses are whitewashed and farmers clean their warehouses. Colorful Rangoli / muggulu are drawn in the front yards of every house during this month. These artistic floral designs are drawn on the floor with rice flour or fine powder of limestone. These patterns are decorated with colors and adorned with marigold placed on cowdung balls. Colorfully dressed young girls go round them singing songs (gobbi patalu). Daasarlu, Haridaasulu (traditional folklore singers), Jangam devarulu, and Gangireddulu ( men who train canopied oxen to dance in front of houses during Sankranti) are given some gifts of grain and clothes for singing and having the oxen dance. Pooja is performed in temples and devotees are given pongali (cooked sweet rice) as prasadam. During this month, the cow, revered by Hindus, is worshipped. In fact, water mixed with cow dung, considered to be a disinfectant, is sprinkled in the front yards before the rangoli is drawn. Dried cowdung cakes are burned on the Bhogi day. This fire is called Bhogimanta and all unwanted things are also thrown in this fire. People take oil bath early in the morning and wear new clothes. Special sweets are prepared. Many families arrange Bommala Koluvu (a doll show) and invite their friends in the evening on Sankranti day. On this day people give alms to the poor and never say "no" to any body. Good food and sweet dishes are cooked and there is festivity everywhere. KANUMA - FESTIVITIES WITH ANIMALS The third day is Kanuma. It is a celebration by an agrarian community that thankfully acknowledges the participation of the animals mainly bulls in ploughing the fields and assisting the farmers in raising a good crop. The animals are decorated and are included in some races, both to entertain and to boost their endurance capacity. These races include cock fights, bull fights and ram fights. All the three days, rich and poor alike, have a good time. UP

SIVARATRI

UP One of the prehistoric festivals of India is Sivaratri, or night of Siva. Siva is an ancient deity. Among the Hindu triumvirate, Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the preserver and Siva is considered the destroyer (Trident force). In various forms Siva may be traced clearly right through the early historic age to the Indus valley civilization : further back in mesolithic carvings on walls. Some feel Siva as the lord of the animals or the hunt, is reflected even as far ago as the paleolithic age as found in the cave paintings in many places in the world. This symbolizes Siva as an ancient deity. The legends of Siva reveal all these aspects. Sivaratri signifies the end of winter and the arrival of spring as well. People get up earlier than usual, take a bath preferably in a river, lake or at home. Then they go to a temple nearby or set up a small linga at home. They commence the rituals (pooja) in the usual manner of sprinkling water, offering flowers, leaves, incense , wave bits of burning camphor on a plate (aarati), etc while listening or repeating the mantras. These are for the most part a collection of terms in Sanskrit of the titles of Siva, a type of shorthand reference to the legends. In the rituals, leaves of a forest tree Aegle marmelos ( bilva, maredu, wood apple) are traditionally used in the services. After the pooja is over they observe a fast. During the period people are permitted to eat some light snacks made of sago, puffed rice and sweet potato. Unlike each Hindu festival which begins with the ritualistic worship of the presiding deity followed by a feast, Sivaratri differs in that one dedicates the entire day of twenty-four hours to the worship of Lord Siva. Among the entire pantheon of Indian Gods, Siva is known as the "poor Lord" (Daridranarayana) whose attire consists of deer's skin wrapped around his body and one who wears snakes for ornaments and ash on his forehead. In the evening they generally go to a nearby temple where in the company of many others they listen to recitals of the legends and their meanings. They do not sleep that night, but remain awake. The worship continues throughout the night either by way of chanting the Rudrama, singing in eulogy of Lord Siva or/and listening to religious discourses interpreting the legends associated with the festival. Often the family visits a holy shrine -- the trip may take a few days. At such temples the crowds are huge. There may be various platforms / stages erected for the occasion all over the place for various traditional performing arts. A regular fair or market springs up. In olden days people used to buy things which weren't available in the remote villages. Today the market aspect is not important, but it affords a chance to see old traditional dances, drama and other performing arts which are disappearing. A point to note is everyone in Siva temples is considered equal : in Siva temples in the Deccan, anyone can walk in. Even animals like bulls and dogs are not stopped from wandering where they please--- right inside the chamber, if they feel like it. ( This was due to the activities of medieval reformers like the Virasaivas and others.) In Andhra Pradesh Siva temples are very important. It appears the ancient faith of the Telugu people was some form of Saivism. There are important centers like Srisailam, Kalahasti, Kalesvaram, Draksharamam, Keesara among many others. The rituals are more or less the same all over India. The ancient nature of Saivism explains the existence of Siva temples in all corners of India. There are a number of sects in Hinduism but almost all observe Sivaratri. UP

UGADI

UP The New year festival or Ugadi comes close on the heels of Holi. While the strong colors of Holi start fading away, the freshness of spring lingers on with sprightliness all around. The flame of the forest (trees with bright red flowers that blossom during holi) are in full bloom signifying an affluent season. HERALDING A NEW LIFE It is believed that the creator of the Hindu pantheon Lord Brahma started creation on this day - Chaitra suddha padhyami or the Ugadi day. Also the great Indian Mathematician Bhaskaracharya's calculations proclaimed the Ugadi day from the sunrise on as the beginning of the new year, new month and new day. The onset of spring also marks a beginning of new life with plants (barren until now) acquiring new life, shoots and leaves. Spring is considered the first season of the year hence also heralding a new year and a new beginning. The vibrancy of life and verdent fields, meadows full of colorful blossoms signifies growth, prosperity and well-being.With the coming of Ugadi, the naturally perfumed jasmines (mallepulu) spread a sweet fragrance which is perhaps unmatched by any other in nature's own creation! While large garlands of jasmine are offered to Gods in homes and temples, jasmine flowers woven in clusters adorn the braids of women. Ugadi is thus a festival of many shades. It ushers in the new year, brings a rich bounce of flora and fills the hearts of people with joy and contentment! UP