Niharika Konidela Offers Golden Bonam at Sri Mahankaleshwara Temple in Hyderabad

Actress and producer Niharika Konidela participated in the Bonalu celebrations at Sri Mahankaleshwara Temple in Meeralam Mandi, Hyderabad. She carried a golden Bonam and offered special prayers to the Goddess. Temple priests welcomed her with a traditional Purna Kumbham ceremony, following which she had darshan amid Vedic chants. Temple officials later felicitated Niharika. The temple chairman Gajula Anjaiah also explained the history of the temple and the significance of its Bonalu traditions.

Speaking on the occasion, Niharika said she could not attend the temple on the main Bonalu day because of a shooting schedule and therefore visited the temple later to seek the Goddess’s blessings. Born and brought up in Hyderabad, she said she has always been fascinated by the sight of women carrying Bonalu offerings in traditional attire during the festival. Niharika recalled that she had jokingly wished a few days ago that someone would take her to the Bonalu celebrations and said the wish being fulfilled so soon felt like the Goddess’s blessing. She described the darshan as peaceful and joyful and expressed her wish to visit the temple again. Her presence attracted devotees, who gathered around her for photographs and selfies.