Bonalu Celebrations in Secunderabad Started
posted on Jul 18, 2011 @ 2:34PM
Annual Bonalu celebrations in secunderabad have started in a grand way on Sunday. Thousands of devotees thronged Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple as was thrown open to devotees for darshan at 4 am, and the festivities that started after this went on till the wee hours on Monday.
The festival which is celebrated in the Telangana region had devotees coming in from all 10 'T' districts. Clad in traditional attire and carrying their bonams, devotees thronged the temple even as 'potharajus' danced to the popular folk songs that belted out from loud speakers. The festival was attended by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy who came at around 10 am. Earlier, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu had the darshan of the presiding deity at around 8 am. Adding to the 'T' flavour, TRS president K Chandrashekar Rao, ministers and officials also paid visits in the morning hours on Sunday.
Tight security arrangements were in place for the day, with city police, especially paramilitary forces, bomb-disposal and dog squads patrolling the venue. The police also engaged in crowd control measures as Sunday evening witnessed heavy rush of devotees. Festivities will continue on Monday, even as the rangam and procession of the goddess atop the elephant will take place on Monday morning. Bonalu will be celebrated in Hyderabad on July 24.