Bonalu Festival to Conclude in Old City With Ghatam Processions

The two-day Bonalu festival will conclude on Monday in the Old City of Hyderabad, marking the formal end of the annual Ashadamasam Bonalu celebrations in the region. The grand conclusion will feature 'Ghatam' processions organized by local temple committees, moving from Lal Darwaza toward the Musi River near Afzalgunj.

The proceedings will begin as separate processions taken out from various temples across the Old City arrive and converge at Lal Darwaza, situated near the Sri Simhahavini Mahankali Temple. After assembling at this central location, the converged procession will embark on its main journey toward the Musi River.

The procession route covers several major thoroughfares in the Old City. The procession will pass through Haribowli, Lal Darwaza, Charminar, and Madina, before reaching its final culmination point at the Musi River near Afzalgunj. Upon arrival at the Musi River, traditional rituals will be performed, following which the formal immersion process will be carried out.

Traditional ritual performers and artists will lead the event. Potharajus, smeared with vermillion and turmeric paste all over their bodies, will take position at the head of the processions, dancing to the beats of pulsating drums. Furthermore, folk artists hailing from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh will deliver performances along the route to mark the festive occasion.

To ensure the event transpires peacefully and without disruption, the police department has implemented elaborate security arrangements along the entire route. Local authorities have also imposed traffic restrictions across the affected thoroughfares to facilitate a hassle-free movement for the procession as it advances toward its destination near Afzalgunj.