Lashkar Bonalu ends on a high note

HYDERABAD: The Lashkar Bonalu celebrations at the Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad ended on an impressive yet reluctant note, as devotees camped in the zone throughout the day to take in the oracle’s predictions, potharaju dances and visits of famous people.

The day kicked off with the Rangam event, where curious devotees glued their ears to one another as Rangam Lady made her predictions, standing on a wet earthen pot. This was followed by the ‘Bali Gampa’ event, wherein pumpkins and other edible ingredients offered to the deity were thrown on buildings in the vicinity of the temple, as a blessing.

Monday also saw Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan visit the temple to pay her respects to the deity.

Visitors continued to throng the area, with the footfall crossing Rs 20 lahks, as the crowd was larger than last year’s, according to the temple’s executive officer, Gutta Manohar Reddy.

The evening was marked by the Phalaharam Bandi procession, which is a key part of Bonalu, wherein families take out processions of the deity on a grand scale, in a chariot, accompanied by brass bands, mascots and traditional dancers.

Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav’s Phalaharam Bandi procession started from the Monda Market to the Adaya Nagar Kaman. Talasani also felicitated home minister Mahmood Ali as part of the event.