Telangana Releases Rs 15.05 Crore for Hyderabad Bonalu Festival Starting July 16

The Telangana State government has finalized coordination arrangements and released Rs 15.05 crore for the upcoming Ashadam Bonalu festival, which will run from July 16 to August 10 across Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The festival will commence at the Sri Jagadamba Mahankali temple atop the historic Golconda Fort, with key events also scheduled at the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad, the Sri Simhavahini Mahankali temple in Lal Darwaza, and the Sri Akkanna Madanna temple in Haribowli.

The released funds of Rs 15.05 crore are earmarked for 3,427 temples within the limits of the old Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area. As part of the state-supported celebrations, the government will traditionally offer silk clothes at nearly 30 major temples. These include the Golconda Sri Jagadamba Mahankali temple, Chilkalaguda Sri Ujjaini Mahankali temple, Katta Maisamma-Pochamma, Haribowli Akkanna-Madanna temple, Karwan Darbar Maisamma, Lal Darwaza Sri Simhavahini Mahankali, Charminar Sri Bhagyalakshmi Ammavari temple, and Mir Alam Mandi Sri Mahankali temple.

During the festivities, women dressed in pattu saris will offer "bonam"—cooked rice with jaggery in decorated pots—to the deities. Evening celebrations will feature "phalaharam bandi" processions organized by local youth, with "potharajus" dancing to teen maar beats. The day after the principal celebrations, a female oracle standing on a wet earthen pot will perform the "Rangam" ritual to predict the future of the state.

Endowments Minister Konda Surekha and Hyderabad Incharge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reviewed the arrangements to ensure smooth conduct. Prabhakar appealed to devotees to follow instructions from the police and government departments to ensure a safe and peaceful darshan.

The festival begins on July 16 at Golconda. Balkampet Yellamma Kalyanotsavam celebrations will take place from July 20 to 22. Secunderabad Bonalu is scheduled for August 2, followed by the Rangam ceremony on August 3. Lal Darwaza Bonalu is set for August 9, and the festival will conclude on August 10 with processions to the Musi River near Afzalgunj.