Hyderabad, August 6, 2013: Bonalu festival to conclude today with a procession led by a caparisoned elephant carrying ‘ghatam’ of Goddess Mahankali. The celebrations began in the early hours of the day with special pujas at all major temples even as devotees made a beeline to the temples to offer prayers. he day was also marked by the appearance of ‘Potaraju’ who performed to the general applause and the ever-present ‘teen maar’ beats. Heavy rush was seen at Simhavahini Mahankali temple, Lal Darwaza, and Akkana Madanna temple, Haribowli, apart from the temples in areas like Uppuguda, Aliabad, Gowlipura, Dhoolpet and Hussainialam.

The two-day annual Bonalu festival was held in the Old City on Sunday with gaiety and traditional fervour. The celebrations began in the early hours of the day with special pujas at all major temples even as devotees made a beeline to the temples to offer prayers.

Women dressed in traditional costumes visited the temples to offer ‘bonam’ to the deities.

The day was also marked by the appearance of ‘Potaraju’ who performed to the general applause and the ever-present ‘teen maar’ beats.

Heavy rush was seen at Simhavahini Mahankali temple, Lal Darwaza, and Akkana Madanna temple, Haribowli, apart from the temples in areas like Uppuguda, Aliabad, Gowlipura, Dhoolpet and Hussainialam.

A string of VIPs including Deputy Chief Minister N. Damodar Rajanarsimha, Ministers J. Geetha Reddy, M. Mukesh Goud and K. Jana Reddy, Secunderabad MP M. Anjan Kumar Yadav, TRS legislator K. Tarakarama Rao, BJP State president G. Kishan Reddy, city police commissioner Anurag Sharma, visited Akkana Madanna temple and Simhavahini Mahankali temple.

The festival will conclude on Monday with a procession led by a caparisoned elephant, carrying ‘ghatam’ of Goddess Mahankali. The procession will pass through Shalibanda, Pathergatti, Charminar and Nayapul where the ‘ghatam’ will be immersed in the Musi.

Source: The Hindu, August 4, 2013