Let the festivities begin: Telangana gears up to celebrate Bonalu after two years

The state government had cancelled the festival last year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Newsmeter Network  Published on  11 July 2021 8:21 AM GMT
Let the festivities begin: Telangana gears up to celebrate Bonalu after two years

Hyderabad: Telangana will celebrate the Ashada Bonalu festival, one of the biggest traditional folk festivals in the state, on Sunday after two years. The state government had cancelled the festival last year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao wished the people of Telangana on the occasion of the beginning of the Bonalu festival. He said the festival is a symbol for the Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb of the 'sabbanda varnas. "With the blessings from the Mother Goddess and the state government's determination, the Telangana state became Annapurna (who offers food) to the entire country," he said.

The festivities begin with the presentation of a Bonam to Golconda Jagadambika Mahankali goddess. Bonalu was declared a state festival by the KCR-led government after the state's formation in 2014. This year the government has released Rs. 15 crore for the festival.

The city is once again gearing up for the Bonalu festival. Secunderabad Ujjaini Mahankali Ammavari Bonalu will be held on 25 and 26 July and Old City Lal Darwaza Sinha Vahini Mahankali Ammavari Bonalu will be held on 1 and 2 August. The festival will end on 8 August in Golconda.

Bonalu is a traditional folk festival celebrated every year in the Telugu month of Ashadham that falls in the month of June, July, August in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and some other parts of Telangana. The devotees worship goddess Mahankali (a form of Durga) and seek her divine blessings to overcome all obstacles and get cured of diseases.

Meanwhile, the traffic police said heavy traffic congestion was expected on three routes leading to Golconda fort for the Golconda Bonalu celebrations on Sunday — from Ramdevguda via Makkai darwaza; from Langer Houz via Fateh darwaza and from Seven Tombs via Banjara darwaza. In view of this, commuters using these roads have been advised to take alternative routes from 8 a.m to 8 p.m on Monday.

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