Old City Bonalu Concludes as Ghatams Are Immersed in Musi River

The two-day Bonalu celebrations in the Old City of Hyderabad concluded on Monday evening with the traditional immersion of Mahankali ghatams in the Musi river at Nayapul. Thousands of devotees filled the streets to witness and participate in the final procession.

Hyderabad Commissioner of Police VC Sajjanar flagged off the main procession from the historic Akkanna Madanna temple located in Haribowli. Police personnel were deployed along the entire route to manage the dense crowds and control traffic movement.

Starting near Lal Darwaza, the procession moved through Hari Bowli, Shahalibanda, Charminar, Gulzar Houz, and Pathergatti before reaching the river bank. Massive crowds gathered around Charminar and adjacent streets to view the passing ghatams.

The ghatam from the Akkanna Madanna temple led the procession while being carried on a caparisoned elephant. Ghatams from several other Mahankali shrines, including the Sri Simhavahini Mahankali temple, joined the procession as devotees lined the narrow streets to offer prayers.

The procession featured traditional performances throughout the evening. Potharajus dressed in traditional attire and marked with turmeric and vermilion danced to drumbeats, while folk artists from across Telangana performed traditional songs and dances along the route.

The festivities officially came to a close at Nayapul, where the ghatams were taken into the Musi river for final immersion.