Bonalu celebrated amid pomp and gaiety, Ministers offer silk clothes to the goddess

Bonalu Festival conducted across the State amid pomp and gaiety and much fanfare. In the twin cities, the State festival of Bonalu saw the flocking of a large number of people to the temples nearby and offered special pujas on the occasion. Ministers Nayani Narsimha Reddy, A Indrakaran Reddy and Talasani Srinivas Yadav offered silk clothes to the presiding goddess at Lal Darwaja temple on behalf of the State government.

The minister offered special pujas to the goddess and wished for peace and welfare of the people through good rains and better harvest. The Home Minister said the State government was conducting the Bonalu festival in a grand manner. Elaborate security arrangements have been made with deployment of adequate police personnel. The police are keeping extra alert to prevent any untoward incident, he said, adding that all the temples are spruced up and under CC TV surveillance.

Endowments Minister Indrakaran Reddy said this time the State is witnessing better rains with blessings of the goddess. Also in future, the State will see adequate rains and the government will take all measures for golden harvest through timely completion of the irrigation projects, he added.

Minister Srinivas Yadav said every measure has been taken to ensure that no inconvenience was caused to the devout. Besides illuminating with attractive lights, queue lines are formed for smooth and safe darshan of the goddess, he said. Telangana State sees copious rains as the goddess is blessing the State, the minister said.

Cynosure on the occasion was women and girls clad in traditional dresses carrying pots embellished with vermillion, turmeric and traditional Neem leaves. While the Pothurajus synonymous for the bonalu danced to the tunes typically sounding drum beats. (NSS)