Gaiety marks Bonalu celebrations

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JULY 15. `Bali harana' (sacrifice) and pooja to the presiding deities at the Mahankali temples at Haribowli, Shalibanda, Laldarwaza, Gowlipura, Bela, Murad Mahal, Uppuguda, Sultan Shahi, Aliabad, Miralam Mandi, Alija Kotla and Kasaratta and offering of `Bonalu' by women at these temples marked the Mahankali `Jatara' in the Old City on Sunday.

The Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali Temple, Haribowli, celebrated its 53rd Bonalu and Mahankali celebrations.

The annual celebrations, being organised under the auspices of the Sri Mahankali All-Temples Combined Procession Committee, had commenced on July 6. They concluded on Monday with a procession of devi `ghatams' and chariots from various temples. The ghatams will be immersed in the Nayapul after the procession reaches Mata Ghat, via Laldarwaza Crossroads and Charminar.

Smartly dressed women, carrying Bonalu on the heads and accompanied by drum beaters, made their way to the temples to worship the goddess amd make offerings since morning. Volunteers of the committee made arrangements at the temples to ensure that the devotees had quick darshan.

Among those who visited the main temple at Shalibanda were the DGP, Mr.H.J.Dora, the City Police Commissioner, Mr.P.Ramulu, the APCC president, Mr.M.Satyanarayana Rao, Mr.N.Bhaskara Rao, former Chief Minister, Mr.M.G.Gopal, Managing Director, HMWSSB, Mr.V.Hanumantha Rao, AICC Joint Secretary, Mr.A.Narendra, MP, Mr. Premsingh Rathore, MLA, Mr.M.Kodanda Reddy, and Mr. Puli Veeranna, former MLAs.

The State Government had extended its cooperation to the committee in improving the amenities in the surroundings of the temples. The Minister for Labour, Mr.C.Krishna Yadav, organised coordination committee meetings of various departments. The police made elaborate bandobust arrangements to ensure that the festival passed off without any untoward incidents.

`Bonalu' celebrations were also organised at `mata' temples in the Yousufguda, Sanathnagar, Jubilee Hills, Bowenpally and Marredpally areas.

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Section  : Southern States
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