Bonalu festivities allowed with social distancing

Hyderabad: The State Government has decided to permit carrying of 'Bonalu' and make the offering to Goddess in various temples during the month-long staggered celebrations. This decision was conveyed to the Ummidi Devalayala Uregimpu Committee in Old City by Animal Husbandry Minister T Srinivas Yadav.

Committee president J Madhusudhan Goud said that they had represented to the government seeking permission to allow the Bonalu celebrations in temples following social distancing protocols. Earlier, women used to go in groups but now they will have to go one by one in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It may be mentioned here that at the previous meeting of the temple committee, the minister said that this year the celebrations would be simple and devotees would be asked to celebrate in their houses.

But the temple committees which met Srinivas Yadav again on Friday told the minister that Bonalu being synonym with the tradition and culture of Telangana, permission to celebrate in traditional manner observing restrictions and protocols should be permitted.

Goud said the devotees should not to come in groups. Only individual devotees would be permitted and they should follow social distancing. Necessary markings would be made and the devotees will have to follow the system.

Processions and other rituals would be taken up with a limited number of devotees. As part of this, the temple Bonum would be offered on July 19.