Bonalu Festival Should Be Celebrated Grandly: Minister Ponnam Prabhakar

Hyderabad: State Transport and BC Welfare Minister and Hyderabad In-Charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar directed officials to work in coordination to organize this year’s Bonalu celebrations on a grand scale. He stated that since the formation of Telangana, the state government has been giving utmost importance to Bonalu, which symbolizes Telangana’s culture, traditions, beliefs, and spiritual heritage.

He chaired a high-level review meeting on Wednesday at the Dasarathi Auditorium of the Dr. Marri Channa Reddy Human Resource Development Institute in Jubilee Hills regarding arrangements for the Bonalu festivities to be conducted by the Endowments Department in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts from July 16 to August 13.

Speaking at the meeting, the Minister said that Bonalu is not merely a religious festival but a cultural symbol reflecting the spirit of Telangana. During the Ashada month, lakhs of devotees from across the state visit Hyderabad to seek blessings at various temples. He instructed Endowments Department officials to ensure that every devotee gets an opportunity for darshan.

He noted that the Hyderabad administration has extensive experience in successfully organizing large-scale religious and cultural events such as Bonalu, Ganesh festivals, Ramzan, and Muharram. He urged officials to apply the same level of planning, coordination, and dedication to this year’s Bonalu celebrations.

Since Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, ministers, public representatives, senior officials, and lakhs of devotees are expected to participate, all departments were directed to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

The Minister announced that the state government has allocated ₹20 crore for organizing Bonalu festivities. He also stated that the government has been steadily increasing financial assistance to temples: 2021: Assistance to 1,028 temples, 2022 & 2023: Assistance to 1,073 temples each year, 2024: Assistance to 1,253 temples, 2025: A record 3,026 temples received financial aid totaling ₹5.80 crore

He instructed district administrations and Endowments Department officials to ensure transparency in identifying eligible temples and to consider devotee turnout, temple requirements, and local conditions while providing assistance.

The Minister emphasized that devotee convenience should be the top priority. He directed officials to ensure: Uninterrupted power supply at major temples, Special illumination and floral decorations, Drinking water facilities, Distribution of prasadam, Sanitation maintenance, Queue management systems, CCTV surveillance, Medical camps, Emergency response systems, Fire safety arrangements.

Since a large number of devotees are expected to use the free bus travel scheme for women, he instructed TGSRTC to operate special bus services. As large crowds are expected at temples such as: Golconda Sri Jagadamba Mahankali Temple, Balkampet Sri Yellamma Pochamma Temple, Ujjaini Mahankali Temple, Subzi Mandi Temple, Akkanna Madanna Temple the Minister directed police, traffic, intelligence, GHMC, and other civic departments to prepare comprehensive plans for security, traffic regulation, and crowd management.

He also stressed special protection for women devotees and women employees on duty and called for advance planning to minimize inconvenience to the public. The Minister instructed the Information and Public Relations Department to undertake extensive publicity regarding: The significance and history of Bonalu, Traditional customs, Festival schedules, Traffic restrictions, Facilities provided by the government. He also called for wide coverage through electronic and print media and urged all officials to work together in coordination throughout the celebrations.

Highlighting the historical significance of Golconda Bonalu, the Minister suggested continuing free entry to Golconda Fort for devotees visiting during the Ashada month. He appealed to all departments, temple committees, public representatives, and citizens to work collectively to ensure that Bonalu celebrations are conducted peacefully, devotionally, and grandly.

Earlier, Endowments Minister Konda Surekha participated virtually and urged all departments to coordinate and ensure the success of the festivities. Minorities Welfare and Public Sector Enterprises Minister Mohammed Azharuddin stated that meticulous planning and efficient execution are essential for the successful conduct of these historic and spiritual celebrations.

Rajya Sabha Member Anil Kumar Yadav, Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender, Jubilee Hills MLA Naveen Yadav, and Malkajgiri MLA Marri Rajasekhar Reddy also spoke about the significance of Bonalu during the meeting. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Endowments Department, Police Department, GHMC, HMDA, TGSRTC, Tourism Department, Revenue Department, Medical and Health Department, Fire Services Department, Information & Public Relations Department, and representatives of temple committees.

Bonalu Festival Schedule 2025

July 16

• Bonalu celebrations begin with the fair at Sri Jagadamba Mahankali Temple, Golconda.
• The State Government will offer Pattu Vastrams (silk robes).

July 21

• Kalyanotsavam and offering of Pattu Vastrams at Sri Yellamma Pochamma Temple, Balkampet.

July 22

• Rathotsavam (Chariot Festival) at Balkampet Temple.

August 2

• Main Bonalu celebrations and offering of Pattu Vastrams at Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple, Secunderabad.

August 3

• Rangam ceremony and Ambari procession.

August 9

• Government offering of Pattu Vastrams at other major temples.
• Bonalu celebrations at Subzi Mandi and Karwan areas.

August 10

• Celebrations at Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali Temple, Haribowli.