₹20 Crore Allocated as Bonalu Festivities Go Grand Across Three Corporations

The Telangana government is preparing for a grand edition of the Ashada Bonalu festival , with celebrations set to span the jurisdictions of three major civic corporations this year. Describing Bonalu as a reflection of Telangana’s cultural identity and spiritual traditions, Endowments Minister Konda Surekha said elaborate arrangements are being made to ensure a smooth and memorable experience for devotees.

Participating virtually from London, where she is currently on an official visit, the minister joined a high-level coordination meeting on Bonalu preparations held at the MCR HRD Institute . The meeting was attended by Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar , Minister Azharuddin, senior police officials, and top government administrators.

During the review, Konda Surekha thanked Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for allocating ₹20 crore for the conduct of the festival. She noted that while Bonalu celebrations were previously concentrated within a single civic jurisdiction, the government has expanded the scale this year to accommodate increasing participation and to showcase Telangana’s rich cultural heritage on a larger canvas.

The festivities will be held from July 16 to August 13 across temples in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Ranga Reddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts. The celebrations will begin at the historic Golconda Jagadamba Mahankali Temple , which traditionally marks the start of the Bonalu season.

A major cultural and religious event in Telangana, Bonalu is dedicated to Goddess Mahankali and attracts lakhs of devotees annually. Traditional rituals such as Bonam offerings , Ghatam processions , Thottela processions , the energetic performances of Pothuraju , and the spiritually significant Rangam ceremony will be among the highlights of this year’s celebrations.

The minister said authorities expect a larger-than-usual turnout, partly due to the government's Mahalakshmi free bus travel scheme for women , which has improved access to religious and cultural events across the state. In anticipation of heavy pilgrim traffic, she urged the transport department to arrange additional bus services and strengthen connectivity to key temple locations.

Officials have been directed to ensure adequate drinking water facilities , sanitation services, medical assistance, queue management systems, decorative lighting, CCTV surveillance and comprehensive security measures. Special traffic management plans, emergency medical teams and dedicated facilities for senior citizens, pregnant women and nursing mothers will also be put in place.

With extensive preparations underway, the state government aims to make this year’s Bonalu celebrations a vibrant showcase of Telangana’s faith, folk traditions and cultural pride , while ensuring the comfort and safety of the lakhs of devotees expected to participate.