Villages in Telangana witness revival of Bodrai festival

Hyderabad: A cultural renaissance is taking place in Telangana villages with the revival of the age-old Bodrai panduga/festival. And it’s catching up fast with many villages installing Bodrai in their villages and villagers in their best participating in the almost forgotten culture.
For a layman, Bodrai (stone pillar) is the first stone installed before a settlement starts in a village or any other place. Bodrai, the auspicious stone, is installed by various castes/communities in their respective places before the actual construction of dwellings begin. It is also called “Nabi Sila” Pratishtanam (consecration ceremony).
It is more than the foundation stone since it is worshipped by the villagers and settlement dwellers all through their stay on all occasions.
For some “Bodrai” is incarnation of “Shakti”, Goddess Kali, some relate it to “Nabi” (navel) and rai (stone), the navel in the middle of the body.
Kondurg Mandal in Ranga Reddy in Telangana State, about 60 km from Hyderabad and 20 km from Shadnagar, saw the revival of this ancient culture wherein five new Bodrais were installed amidst religious fervour and gaiety by the villagers.
The recent three-day festivities were attended by hundreds of people from the mandal and outside, culminating into Bonalu offerings to the Bodrai and village deities.