Bonalu procession to begin at Akkanna Madanna Mahankali Temple

Akkanna and Madanna were ministers of Abul Hasan Qutub Shah, the last ruler of Qutab Shahi dynasty

Charminar: The 400-year old Akkanna-Madanna Mahankali temple situated in Hari Bowli is famous for its historic significance and has been a starting point of the annual procession for the last 70 years. 
 
Akkanna and Madanna from Maheshwaram were ministers of Abul Hasan Qutub Shah (Tani Shah) who was the last ruler of Qutab Shahi dynasty of Golconda. 

While on their way to Golconda these two brothers Akkanna and Madanna regularly offered prayers and also took rest for some time at Durga Mata Temple during their tenure. 

Because of this historic significance for centuries it has attracted the attention of devout and later, the temple came to be known as Akkanna Madanna Temple.

As centuries passed by, a person named A Jangaya reconstructed the temple in the year 1947 along with Barla Babaya and since last 70 years the temple continued its celebrations of Bonalu festival besides taking out a splendid procession. 

In the recent history, the temple was not spared during the communal tensions. The idol in the temple was desecrated, during the 1997 riots even as top leaders from Congress, BJP and also TDP made a visit to the temple, during the period.

“In 1997 due to communal activities the idol was demolished. Political leaders N Chandrababu Naidu, Sonia Gandhi, L K Adwani, Ghulam Nabi Azad, K Chandrasekhar Rao visited the temple while after this communal tensions in Telugu Desam period. 

Later, in 1998, Sri Jagad Garu Shankaracharya along with A Jangaya established idol of Durga Mahankali”, recalled A Satish Kumar Treasurer of Temple.

This year the temple will be celebrating the 70th year of annual celebrations by taking out Bonalu procession. 

The procession on elephant starts from the temple at Hari Bowli towards Bela and will take the route of Lal Darwaza X Roads, Clock Tower, Shahalibanda, Charminar, Gulzar Houz, Madina Building and will conclude at Delhi Darwaza at Nayapul. 

“In 1999, Mukkarram Jah allowed a Nizam Trust elephant, Hashmi, for Bonalu Juloos. 

And now the procession is being carried on by elephant, Rajni since nearly 15 years”, says G Niranjan, temple committee President.