Oracle predicts bountiful rains

Says Goddess pleased with the services of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his team

​Hyderabad: The Telangana State will receive bountiful rains on time this year and people will live happily with rich harvest, the oracle during Bonalu festival at Mahankali temple has predicted. The woman devotee, who spell out the oracle, said the Goddess was pleased with the services of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his ministers for doing their best for the Bonalu festival.

The two-day Bonalu festival at the Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad concluded with “Rangam” on Monday. Amidst thousands of devotees, standing on a freshly-made mud pot in front of Mathangi temple opposite the presiding deity, oracle Swarnalatha declared that the Goddess was very happy with the State government and would protect the Chief Minister and his ministerial team.

Stating that all the devotees are her children, “The goddess said she would not allow Her devotees to suffer. She would protect them from all problems. Everybody will be happy and peaceful”, she ordained. Swarnalatha said the selfishness of leaders was adding to the woes of the people. “The leaders should work with spirit of service and sacrifice, but they are selfish. They are looting the wealth of the State and even of the temples,” she said.

“How anything good will be possible if leaders behave like this,” she said, warning that leaders should aim to serve people better. Expressing displeasure over the attitude of the leaders even after bifurcation of the State, she roared “Rouges should make amends and reform themselves”.

Later, the processional deity of Mahankali Ammavaru was taken in a procession on a decorated elephant. In the devotional environment, folk artistes, Potharajus and devotees danced in ecstasy. In the evening, the traditional “Palahaaram Bandlu” (Ammavaru idols on chariots drawn by sheep) were taken out and prizes were awarded to the best chariots.

Earlier, Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav came to the temple and supervised the arrangements along with Temple executive officer Annapurna. He flagged off the procession of Ammavaru by breaking a coconut. Officials of GHMC, Police, Health, Endowments, temple committee members and those of other departments were present.

Speaking to the media later, Srinivas Yadav said the festival was conducted smoothly and lakhs of devotees participated in the Jatara. Responding to reports of Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya's vehicle being stopped at a distance from the temple, Talasani said it could be because of heavy rush and there was no political reason. He apologised to Dattatreya for any inconvenience caused due to the act of police.