HYDERABAD: The first festival of the newly formed Telangana State, Bonalu, kicked off in great style at Mahakali Temple on Golconda Fort on Sunday. The otherwise gloomy historical site which only attracts tourists and foreigners on the other days of the year, witnessed a visible crowd on the first day of Bonalu.
For the people of Telangana, Bonalu is more than a festival and several families paid a visit to the holy Mahakali temple.
It was one of the rare occasions where the entire family gathered and several such families were visible in the area. “It is the first festival of Ashadham and this time it is a lot more special as we got a separate state,” said Vanshika, a housewife and a resident of Langer-house, who has been visiting the place since childhood.
“The thing I remember the most about celebrating Bonalu as a child in Golkonda, is playing in the gardens and getting lost,” she recollected. Usha Rani in her sixties, visited the temple with her family of eight members, including nephews and nieces. To her, Golkonda is more than a historic site -- it’s a childhood memory.
“I remember coming here with my parents to celebrate the festival. The place looked a lot more different then. It was not this convenient for us to come here then. They have built the roads and developed the entire area,” she said.
Several families were seen preparing the Bonam and cooking meals in the courtyard area of the fort. Tight Security measures were taken and Police were seen patrolling in the fort to ensure a peaceful celebration.