HYDERABAD: The Telangana government is planning grand celebrations for ‘Bonalu’, officially declared as the State festival, in Hyderabad. Accordingly, it has sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the Bonalu festivities this year.
Of the total budget, Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for arrangements at 15 temples in the Old City, and another Rs 5 crore has been released to the Endowments Department for conducting celebrations in temples elsewhere in the city.
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao also appointed a committee with five cabinet ministers, including Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mahammad Mahmood Ali, Endowments Minister Indrakaran Reddy, Minister for Commercial Taxes Talasani Srinivas Yadav and Excise Minister Padma Rao Goud, to monitor the arrangements. He promised to attend the celebrations at Balkampet Yellamma temple.
Talasani and Padma Rao, who are monitoring the festival arrangements at Ujjaini Mahankali Temple, on Monday reviewed the works at the temple. During a meeting with officials from several departments, the ministers directed them to complete all works at least two days before the festival begins.
This year, Bonalu will be celebrated from August 2 to 25 in Hyderabad. Like every year, it will begin at Mahankali temple and the celebrations will be held here for two days from August 2 to 3. Further, it will be celebrated at Lal Darwaza in the Old City on August 9 and 10.
In the wake of the recent stampede at Godavari Pushkaram at Rajahmundry, a huge number of police personnel will be deployed at the Mahankali temple to control the crowds. Around 1,200 police personnel and hundreds of volunteers will work at temples during the festival to ensure peaceful celebrations.
Srinivas Yadav said the GHMC will arrange Rs 5 meals for the devotees at six centres near the temple. The department of culture will also organise performances of traditional arts of Telangana.
Out of reach
■ Bonalu Arrangements1,200 police personnel will be deployed at Mahankali Temple
■ Rs 5 meals will be served to devotees at temple from July 31 to August 3
■ CCTV cameras will be installed and drones will be used to supervise security arrangements
■ DJs will not be allowed during processions