Decks have been cleared for participation of elephant Rajini in Bonalu festivities. The state forest department has issued formal orders allowing the use of the Nehru Zoological Park elephant on payment of certain charges. With this, the processions of the presiding deity atop Rajini will be taken out from Ujjaini Mahankali temple, Secunderabad, on July 9, Nalla Pochamma temple, Karwan, July 15, and Akkanna Madanna Mahankali temple, Shah Ali Banda on July 16.The zoo park authorities said that as per rules,
the temple authorities have to pay Rs 3000 for hiring the animal for the first three hours and Rs 500 per hour thereafter.
The government has asked the organizers to deposit Rs 3000 towards security deposit. Zoo park curator in-charge A Shankaran said that the forest department had issued orders allowing Rajini’s participation for this time alone. The organizers have to seek permission again for next season of festivities.
–Agencies