Telangana Offers Bangaru Bonam to Kanaka Durga in Vijayawada

VIJAYAWADA: The centuries-old cultural and spiritual bond between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana came into prominence once again on Sunday as devotees from Hyderabad offered a Bangaru Bonam to Goddess Sri Kanaka Durga atop the Indrakeeladri Hill in Vijayawada as part of the Ashada month celebrations.

The Bhagyanagar Sri Mahankali Jatara Bonalu Utsavala United Temples Procession Committee presented the Bangaru Bonam. Those present included former Telangana minister and BRS Legislature Party floor leader Talasani Srinivas Yadav.

Addressing devotees on the occasion, Talasani pointed out that the Mahankali Bonalu festival is celebrated with great fervour across Telangana during the Ashada month. The Bhagyanagar committee has been offering the Bangaru Bonam at the Vijayawada temple for the past 17 years without interruption.

Referring to the prevailing dry spell attributed to El Niño, the former minister said he prayed to Goddess Kanaka Durga for abundant rainfall, a prosperous agricultural season, and the well-being of farmers in both Telugu states.

The Telangana delegation began the programme with special prayers at the Jammidoddi before proceeding to the hill shrine. Temple Trust Board chairman Borra Radhakrishna, executive officer V.K. Seena Naik and Sthanacharya V. Siva Prasad Sharma participated in the rituals.

More than 500 artistes, including pothurajus, traditional drummers and kolatam performers, accompanied the vibrant procession from the Brahmin Street to the temple atop Indrakeeladri.

The Bhagyanagar committee appreciated the Andhra Pradesh government and temple authorities for the elaborate arrangements made for their annual offering.

After the darshan, Kanaka Durga temple authorities honoured committee chairman Madhusudan Yadav, member Anjaiah and other representatives and presented to them prasadam and portraits of the presiding deity.

Among the others who offered prayers on the day included Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, Telangana State Legislative Assembly speaker G. Prasad Kumar, AP deputy speaker Raghurama Krishnam Raju, and film actor Murali Mohan.

NTR district police ensured smooth movement of the Telangana delegation around the temple. Acting on the directions of police commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu and Traffic DCP Shirin Begum, police personnel, supervised by Traffic ACP Ramachandra Rao, used drone-assisted traffic management to ensure smooth darshan for the devotees.