Bonam is really a cooked rice with Jaggery and milk well prepared in a new brass, earthen pot decorated with neem leaves, turmeric and vermilion (Kumkum). A lamp is lit on top of the pot and is termed Bonam Jyoti. As per the Patna Higher Court docket judgment in 1948, https://hanumanmandirsydney.com.au/maa-sherawali-mandir-sydney/