Golconda Fort decked up for colourful ‘Ashadamasam’ Bonalu celebrations from Sunday

The celebrations will commence with a special puja early Sunday followed by offering of ‘bonam’ prepared with cooked rice and jaggery in an earthen pot decorated with vermillion and turmeric by devotees. The main attraction of celebrations is separate processions of ‘potharajus’ dancing to the pulsating drum beats with turmeric and vermillion paste smeared all over their body.

For the first time, the Endowments department completed the brass material plating of the temple structure giving an aesthetic look for the colorful celebrations. The initiative was taken up with the donations given by devotees and donors, Temple Executive Officer E Srinivasa Raju said.

He said special arches with colourful LED lights starting from Langer Houz crossroads to the fort were put up to welcome devotees. Special lights were also installed covering over 300 steps from the fort main entrance to the temple.

“We have completed all the arrangements for the celebrations,” Raju explained. He said the arrangements were made in coordination with departments concerned keeping in view the crowds that are expected to turn up in the large numbers this time compared to last year. As many as five lakh devotees are likely to visit the temple this year, he said.

To maintain a constant vigil on those visiting the fort and the temple, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), under whose jurisdiction the fort comes, installed as many as 60 high resolution surveillance cameras on permanent basis in addition to 16 cameras installed by the temple committee.

Endowments Minister Konda Surekha, BC Welfare and Hyderabad Incharge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and other dignitaries will offer ‘pattu’ clothes to the Goddess Sri Jagadamba and offer special prayers. The police department made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incidents.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad Collector Anudeep Durishetty, Hyderabad Police Commissioner K Srinivas Reddy and senior officials visited the temple on Friday and reviewed the arrangements.