Latest news with #Ashadam
Hans India
21-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Colourful Bonalu lights up Old City
Hyderabad: The annual Bonalu festival, symbolising the culture of Telangana, was celebrated with traditional fervor and gaiety in the city on Sunday. Women devout took Bonam barefooted to Mahankali temples - Sri Akkanna Maddanna Mahankali temple in Haribowli, Darbar Maisamma in Karwan, Mahankali temple in Amberpet and other Mahankali temples in the city. Besides, lakhs of devotees along with many political leaders flocked to the temples having darshan of the deity. Every corner of Hyderabad city, especially the Old City resonated as the people were immersed in the Bonalu celebrations. On the last Sunday of Ashadam masam, the city was decked up in traditional attires and made a beeline to the temples and are offering Bonam to the Goddess Mahankali. Women dressed up in the traditional wear and teenage girls adorned half-sarees and jewels carrying Bonam containing cooked rice, jaggery, curd and neem leaves on their heads queued up at the temples. Some women faced a spell of trance where they danced with the balancing pots to the rhythmic beats made by drums in honour of the Goddess on the occasion. Declared as the state festival after the creation of Telangana state in 2014, Bonalu is being celebrated on a large scale with pomp and gaiety. The festival which started on June 29 from Golconda Fort ended with Bonalu in the Old City and other parts of the city on Sunday. The famous Sri Simhavahini Temple at Lal Darwaza in the Old City was the major attraction for the devotees, as all the VIPs attended the Bonalu in the temple. On the occasion of 117th year of Bonalu at the historic Lal Darwaza temple, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Vakati Srihari and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and GHMC Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi offered 'Bangaru Bonam' to the deity on behalf of the state government at Simhavahini Mahankali temple at Lal Darwaza. The committee members of Sri Simhavahini Mahankali temple in Lal Darwaza, Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali temple and Bangaru Maisamma temple in Hairbowli, Sri Muthyalamma temple at Bela, Sri Bhagyalaxmi temple at Charminar, Sri Darbar Maisamma temple in Karwan made special arrangements for the convenience of the devotees. It is believed that the festival was first celebrated over 150 years ago following a major cholera outbreak. People believed that the epidemic was due to the anger of Mahankali and began offering Bonalu to placate her. During the celebrations, special queues were arranged for women, who were carrying Bonam for hassle-free darshan. Police diverted vehicular traffic at several points to ensure smooth conduct of the festivities. Former Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, BJP MP K Laxman, MLA D Nagender, BRS MLC K Kavitha, BJP leader Madhavi Latha, Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman BR Naidu were among the prominent personalities who offered prayers at Mahankali temples in different parts of the city. The state government has allocated Rs 20 crore for the grand conduct of Bonalu festivities across the twin cities. Financial support was extended to 2,783 temples in the form of direct cheques. To ensure the safety and comfort of all devotees, temple authorities have implemented extensive arrangements. The Hyderabad city police have established a robust security presence, deploying approximately 2,500 officers to oversee the celebrations. CCTV cameras have been installed throughout the area to monitor the ongoing events, and both city and district police have joined forces in security efforts. Teams of the Hyderabad Commissioner's Task Force, Rapid Action Force, City Armed Reserve, Quick Reaction Teams, Bomb Detection and Disposal teams, SHE Teams and local civil police were deployed. Police pickets were posted at all sensitive points and religious places and patrolling continued. The two-day festivities will conclude on Monday with 'Rangam', the oracle prediction at Akkanna Madanna temple.
Hans India
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Gaiety marks Bonalu celebrations in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: The annual 'Bonalu' festival was celebrated in Hyderabad on Sunday in a traditional manner with thousands of devotees participating in the festivities. Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and state ministers were among prominent personalities who offered prayers at the Mahankali temples in the old city of Hyderabad. Deputy Chief Minister Vikramarka and Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Vakati Srihari and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy offered silk robes to the deity on behalf of the state government at Simhavahini Mahankali temple at Lal Darwaza. The Deputy CM said they prayed for the development of the state and prosperity, and happiness for people. Former Haryana governor Bandaru Dattatreya, BJP MP K. Laxman, MLA D. Nagender, BRS MLC K. Kavitha, BJP leader Madhavi Latha, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) chairman B. R. Naidu, were among prominent personalities who offered prayers at Mahankali Temple Lal Darwaza, the historic Akkanna Madanna temple at Hari Bowli in Shah Ali Banda and other temples to the deity in different parts of the city. The festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess of power, Mahankali or Kali, is intended to ward off evil and usher in peace. Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy offered prayers at the Mahankali temple in Amberpet. Devotees, including a large number of women, queued up at the temples to offer Bonalu, which consists of cooked rice, jaggery, curd and turmeric water, carried in steel and clay pots on their heads. Declared as the state festival after the creation of Telangana state in 2014, Bonalu is being celebrated on a large scale with pomp and gaiety. Various government departments have made all necessary arrangements for the devotees visiting the temples, like drinking water, sanitation, roads and uninterrupted power supply. Police made elaborate security arrangements for the festival. About 1,200 policemen were deployed around the Lal Darwaza temple. The two-day festivities will conclude on Monday with 'Rangam', the oracle prediction at Akkanna Madanna temple, followed by a combined procession on a caparisoned elephant, carrying 'ghatam' of the goddess Mahankali. The procession will pass through the main thoroughfares of the old city, including historic Charminar, before reaching Delhi Darwaza Matha Temple near Musi River, where the ghatam will be immersed. Authorities ordered the closure of liquor shops, bars, restaurants and toddy outlets in Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda Commissionerates in view of the festival. Bonalu is celebrated in parts of Hyderabad and Secunderabad during the Ashadam month. Also known as Ashada Jatra Utsavalu, it is celebrated on four Sundays in different places in the twin cities. Last Sunday, it was celebrated in Secunderabad, where Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy made the offering. It is believed that the festival was first celebrated over 150 years ago following a major cholera outbreak. People believed that the epidemic was due to the anger of Mahankali and began offering Bonalu to placate her.
Hans India
28-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Ashada festivities begin at Talupulamma temple
Kakinada: The Ashada month festivities at the famous Sri Talupulamma Ammavari Temple in Tuni mandal are being held with great devotion and traditional fervour. Members of the Tuni royal family, SRVV Srinivasa Raju, Prudhvi Raju, and Ramesh Raju visited the shrine along with their families. As part of age-old traditions, they offered silk saree and other sacred items (Cheera-Saare) to the presiding deity and performed special rituals. A large number of devotees participated in the special Kumkuma Archana conducted on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Temple Executive Officer P Vishwanadha Raju said that the Tuni royal family has been worshipping Sri Talupulamma Ammavaru for generations. He noted that presenting a saree and offerings to the goddess on the first Friday of Ashadam month by the royal descendants is a long-standing tradition, and it will continue. The executive officer honoured the royal family members with sacred Seshavastrams (holy cloths) and temple Prasadam. Vedic scholars and temple priests chanted Veda Ashirvachanam (Vedic blessings) as part of the ceremony.
Hans India
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Telangana's Bonalu festival begins amid fanfare
Hyderabad: Bonalu festival, which symbolises the unique culture of Telangana, began on Thursday amid fanfare with devotees offering the first Bonam to goddess Jagadambika at historic Golconda Fort here. The month-long festivities kicked off with the traditional rituals performed by a group of priests. A procession was taken from Langar House to Jagdamba temple at the Golconda fort. A large number of women with pots on their heads, 'Potharajus' and devotees participated in the event. The women devotees offered 'Bonam', containing cooked rice, jaggery, curd and neem leaves to the goddess. Endowment Minister Konda Surekha presented silk robes to the goddess on behalf of the state government. Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Greater Hyderabad Mayor Gadwal Vijayalaxmi and others were present. Congress MLC and veteran actress Vijayashanti and Telangana Jagruthi president, and BRS MLC K. Kavitha participated in the celebrations. BJP MP Eatala Rajender and leaders of various political parties participated. Golconda Bonalu ushers in the 'Ashadam' month, during which the festival is celebrated at various places in Hyderabad, Secunderabad and other parts of Telangana. The celebrations are organised every Sunday and Thursday. Every year, the festival is held in Hyderabad in three phases. Golconda Bonalu will be followed by Lashkar Bonalu, which is held at Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad. The festivities will conclude at Sri Simhavahini Mahankali temple in Lal Darwaza and Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali temple in Haribowli in the old city of Hyderabad. Devotees, especially women, make offerings in the form of food to the goddess in specially decorated pots. It is commonly believed that the festival was first celebrated over 150 years ago following a major cholera outbreak. People believed that the epidemic was due to the anger of Mahankali and began offering Bonalu to placate her. This year, the state government has released Rs 20 crore for celebrating Bonalu. The Endowment Department distributed cheques to temple committees.
Hans India
01-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Hyderabad Bonalu 2025 Schedule Released by Endowments Dept
Telangana's culturally significant Bonalu festival is set to begin this year on June 26, with the state Endowments Department releasing a detailed schedule of events at key temples in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Bonalu celebrations at Sri Jagadambika Ammavari Temple, located within the historic Golconda Fort, will kick off the month-long festivities. The inaugural offering, known as the golden bonam, will be presented to the deity on June 26 (Thursday), marking the official start of the Ashada month rituals. Each Sunday and Thursday throughout the Ashada month will witness traditional pujas offered to the deity, continuing the age-old ritual. A total of nine bonams will be offered during this period, each observed on specific dates: - 1st Bonam: June 26 (Thursday) - 2nd Bonam: June 29 (Sunday) - 3rd Bonam: July 3 (Thursday) - 4th Bonam: July 6 (Sunday) - 5th Bonam: July 10 (Thursday) - 6th Bonam: July 13 (Sunday) - 7th Bonam: July 17 (Thursday) - 8th Bonam: July 20 (Sunday) - 9th Bonam: July 24 (Thursday) Bonalu at Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad has been scheduled for July 13 (Sunday), while the Simhavahini Ammavari Bonalu at Lal Darwaza will be conducted on July 20 (Sunday), rounding off the major events of the season. Traditionally observed during Ashadam, Bonalu is one of Telangana's oldest festivals. Devotees prepare special rice offerings and carry them in decorated pots to local temples, seeking the protection of the Goddess. The celebrations also include processions, drumming, and other traditional performances across neighborhoods. The Hyderabad Bonalu begins each year either on the first Thursday or the first Sunday of Ashada, starting with the offering at Golconda and concluding with major events at Lal Darwaza and Secunderabad.
