On Sunday, Hyderabad’s older parts were filled with a festive atmosphere as Bonalu was being celebrated.
The festival is observed during Ashada Masam, the fourth month of the Telugu calendar, usually between July and August. The old city has been filled with activity since morning. Since early morning, scores of devotees have been offering prayers at the Lal Darwaza Simhavahini Mahankali temple.
Women in traditional attire carrying bonams on their heads and making offerings can be seen. Similarly, a lot of hustle and bustle can be seen at the Akkanna Madanna temple in Hari Bowli. During a visit to the temple, Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav said the State government is organizing grand celebrations and providing funds. As part of the festival preparations, the government-sanctioned funds for the GHMC.
In the history of the state, no funds have been provided to temples. The TRS-led government ensured all religious festivals are celebrated grandly and funds are provided to religious places, he said.
Several celebrities, political leaders, and government officials are expected to offer prayers at temples with their families.
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Lal Darwaza temple decorated for Bonalu
With massive celebrations planned for the first time since the pandemic, the historic temple’s grounds are illuminated with colorful lighting and imposing arches welcome devotees. A medical camp is also being established, and queue lines are clearly marked, in addition to special queues for Bonams to be offered to the deity.
The organizers held a special program on the temple grounds on Saturday, where over 500 women from the Dharmo Rakshati Rakshata Trust were given mementos and sarees. The trust’s Shivananda Swamy spoke about the Bonalu festival and its significance. On this occasion, women from various parts of the country offered Bonam to the Goddess.
In case of rain, government authorities and the temple committee have arranged temporary sheds to protect the devotees at the temple.
