Amid the ongoing Bonalu celebrations across Hyderabad, actress and producer Niharika Konidela paid a visit to the Sri Mahankaleshwara Temple in Mir Alam Mandi, located in the Old City. She presented the customary Bangaru Bonam to Goddess Mahankali and took part in special rituals held in her honor. Temple priests welcomed her warmly with a Purna Kumbham ceremony. Once she had offered her prayers to the accompaniment of Vedic hymns, temple representatives honored her formally.
During the visit, Temple Chairman Gajula Anjaiah explained the temple's background to Niharika, along with the meaning and customs tied to the Bonalu festival as observed there. Talking to reporters, Niharika mentioned that a film shoot had kept her away on the actual day of Bonalu, prompting her to make this trip afterward to pay her respects to the Goddess. Despite growing up in the city, she said she had long felt a pull toward the sight of women in traditional dress carrying Bonams during the festival. "Just a few days back, I mentioned wanting someone to take me along for Bonalu. I didn't expect that wish to come true this quickly. I see it as the Goddess's grace," she remarked. Reflecting on her visit, Niharika said the darshan left her feeling calm and spiritually uplifted, and that the glow surrounding the idol was striking. She expressed hope of returning soon for another blessing. Word of her visit drew crowds of devotees eager to click pictures and selfies with her.
Following the positive reception of her debut film production Committee Kurrollu, she made headlines while producing and actively promoting the socio-fantasy film Raakaasaa, released in April this year. Recently, she made major headlines when Committee Kurrollu achieved national recognition at the 72nd National Film Awards, winning Best Telugu Feature Film as well as Best Make-up for P. Ravi Kumar. Niharika's third film is her most ambitious project yet. It is titled Bhari. Directed again by Yadhu Vamsee, Bhari is a high-budget sports action drama starring her brother Varun Tej as a volleyball player. This will be an early 2027 theatrical release.
