Annual Bonalu Festival Begins in Hyderabad Old City Amid Tight Security

The two-day annual Bonalu festival began across Hyderabad's Old City on Sunday, August 9, 2026, with thousands of devotees gathering under tight security arrangements. The grand celebrations were centred around major Mahankali shrines across the historic district, including the Sri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple located in Lal Darwaza, alongside key temples in Sultan Shahi, Hari Bowli, and Uppuguda.

The Old City wore a festive look from early in the day as large numbers of worshippers turned up at temples starting from the early hours. Long queues of women carrying traditional earthen pots, known as bonams, were witnessed outside prominent temples across the area. The decorated pots, which were adorned with neem leaves and topped with a small lamp, were carried on the heads of devotees as they waited to offer their prayers.

Inside the temple precincts, devotees performed traditional rituals dedicated to Goddess Mahankali. As part of these offerings, worshippers presented cooked rice mixed with milk, jaggery, and curd to the deity as part of the ritual.

The two-day festivities will conclude on Monday, August 10, 2026, with traditional Ghatam processions traversing through historic areas. The processions are set to pass through Charminar and Shahalibanda before culminating at the Nayapool immersion point near the Musi River.

To maintain order and ensure the smooth conduct of both the temple rituals and the upcoming processions, police put elaborate security measures in place across the Old City.