Bonalu fete begins today at Golconda fort

Golconda: Animal Husbandry Minister T Srinivas Yadav on Wednesday said that the state government is ready to conduct traditional Golconda Bonalu on a grand scale in the city. After a review meeting with officials here, Srinivas informed that the government has allotted Rs 15 cr for the grand conduct of the state festival of Bonalu, commencing on July 4. The festival will continue till the July end.

The minister said that Bonalu would be celebrated at Golconda Fort on July 4. All departments were asked to coordinate for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the festival. He also said that Bonalu festival will be held at Ujjaini Mahankali Goddess Temple in Secunderabad on July 21 and 22.

He said necessary arrangements have to be made by July 15 in advance. Also, Bonalu in the Old City will be conducted on July 28 in a festive manner, as a large number of devotees throng the temples and perform special pujas. "We have asked the officials to take necessary steps for providing all facilities at the pandals near the temples. In addition, health camps will be provided at the temples.

Power facility, water supply, traffic regulation, barricading and security will be arranged for the devotees. The GHMC spent Rs 22 cr to provide all the facilities in this regard, he said. The facilities include fine tuning of the main roads, repairs, power supply, lighting of historic places and monuments, sanitation and about 3 lakh of drinking water packets, he added.