New elephant from Karnataka for Bonalu

Shahalibanda: The Akkanna Madanna Mahankali Mandiram has made all arrangements for successful conduct of Bonalu Festival on Sunday and Sri Mahankali Jathara and procession on Monday. According to committee, as the devotees from the twin cities and neighboring districts will visit the temple to seek the blessings, steps have been taken for the Darshan of Matha without any inconvenience.

"Though all the other arrangements were made smoothly, anxiety was prevailing among the devotees on the participation of elephant with Matha Ghatam in the procession as the government was not willing to provide Rajani and the elephant brought from Karnataka was abruptly sent back during Ujjaini Mahankali Temple procession last Monday," said G Niranjan, temple patron.

Now the Nehru Zoological Authorities and Endowment Department officials are trying to bring another elephant Sudha belonging to Sri Mahalaxmi Devasthana, Chippalakatti, Ramdurg, Belgaum, Karnataka. "The elephant is expected to start today night from Bijapur and reach Hyderabad by Saturday evening.

The elephant Sudha will participate in Bonalu procession of Sri Nalla Pochamma Temple, Subjimandi on Sunday and on Monday in the Old City Bonalu Procession of Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali Mandiram. 'We request the State fovernment to keep the Elephant Rajani standby with necessary court orders in case of any problem with the elephant of other State in view of the last week's experience," he noted.

"Due to the adamant attitude of the officials and the lack of coordination among them, the age old religious practices and sentiments of the people are being affected. We request Chief Minister KCR to interfere to resolve the issue permanently as this affects the sentiments of the people of both the communities," he added.

President A Satish Kumar, vice presidents Ramdev Agarwal and M Krishna, Secretary K Dattareya, Organising Secretary S P Kranthi Kumar and others were present.