Bonalu fervour to begin in Telangana

Every village or town celebrates the festival locally on a particular date as per tradition. Every year, Bonalu is celebrated at the temple in the Golconda fort on the first Sunday of Ashada Masam. Similarly, Bonalu is celebrated in areas that come under Secunderabad — including Ujjaini Mahankali temple — on the third Sunday of Ashada. On the last Sunday of Ashada, Akkanna Madanna temple in Old City hogs the limelight.

On the eve of Bonalu at Golconda, officials of various departments including city police commissioner K. Sreenivasa Reddy Hyderabad collector Anudeep Durishetty inspected the fort.

The deity inside the fort temple is known as Jagadambika Yellamma Talli, while some locals also call her Origanti Yellamma.

The Golconda Bonalu will be followed by the celebrations in Secunderabad, popularly known as Lashkar Bonalu at Sri Ujjaini Mahakali temple in Secunderabad on July 21.

The festivities in addition to colourful procession will also include Rangam where the oracle will predict the future. Following the celebrations at Secunderabad, the festivities will start in Hyderabad the following Sunday and the Akkanna Madanna Temple in Old City is one of the temples where the festival is celebrated on a grand scale. After Hyderabad, Bonalu is celebrated in areas of Ranga Reddy district on the subsequent Sunday,

As a part of the festival, special pujas are performed early Sunday followed by offering of ‘bonam’ prepared with cooked rice and jaggery in an earthen pot, decorated with vermillion, turmeric and neem leaves.

According to officials, elaborate arrangements are being made for the smooth conduct of festivals. "On the occasion of Bonalu, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to extend financial aid to major temples in the city,” said an official from Hyderabad collectorate.