Bonalu Festivities at Ujjani Mahankali Temple
The Secunderabad area has been decked up with makeshift shops, merry-go-rounds for children, and flower stalls
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is scheduled to offer ‘Bonam’ to the deity at Ujjani Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad for the Lashker Bonalu on Sunday.
Sri Ujjani Mahankali Devasthanam, the focal point of the festival, is expected to draw thousands of devotees from across the state and neighbouring regions. Amid El Nino conditions, devotees await the Rangam’s prophecy and the oracle’s instructions to avert nature’s fury.
The temple will have additional queue lines for the elderly and women. Government departments, along with police, were overseeing arrangements and security for devotees. All temples in Secunderabad have been decorated for the Ashadam Bonalu.
The Secunderabad area has been decked up with makeshift shops, merry-go-rounds for children, and flower stalls. Procession vehicles are being decorated with lights and sound systems.
The schedule includes the main Bonalu on Sunday, followed by the Rangam ceremony at 8,30 am on Monday, and thereafter the Gaja Vahana procession.
The temple executive officer said rituals have commenced, with priests and members coordinating arrangements. Several meetings were held with government agencies and stakeholders weeks ahead of the festival.
Shashank Pasupuleti, one of the organisers, said, “The Vedic chants and other programmes will start in the morning. We are ensuring that those in the queue are not inconvenienced.”