Bonalu festivities set to kick off from June 30

Hyderabad: The annual Ashada Bonalu festival in the twin cities will begin from June 30. The festivities will begin with the presentation of a Bonam to the Goddess Jagadambika at Golkonda fort. The Secunderabad Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu will be held on July 17 while Hyderabad Bonalu festival will be celebrated on July 24. Bonalu is celebrated in different parts of the city on every Sunday of Ashada masam.

Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav along with MLA Kausar Mohiuddin held a meeting with officials concerned at the Golkonda fort here on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, Talasani said that apart from the Goddess Jagadambika at the Golkonda fort, silk sarees would be presented to the Goddess of 26 temples on behalf of the State government across the twin cities and Rs 15 crore has already been sanctioned by the government for the celebration of Bonalu festival.

Disclosing the elaborate arrangements for the Bonalu festival at the Golkonda fort, the Minister said CC cameras are being arranged at the fort and about 800 police personnel will be deployed in and around the fort. Besides, the deployment of She-teams and Mufti police at the key locations. Similarly, 8 parking lots have been identified for the convenience of devotees and traffic will be diverted at 14 locations on the day of festival.

Moreover, 8.75 lakh water packets and 55,000 water bottles will be supplied to the devotees. Five medical camps will be set up and four ambulance vehicles will be pressed into the service, said Talasani. This time, the State government has decided to celebrate the festival in a grand manner and officials have been asked to make arrangements in this regard, the Minister added.