Large gatherings were seen at Sri Simhavahini Mahankali temple in Lal Darwaza, Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahakali temple in Haribowli, and other Mahankali temples in areas like Mir Alam Mandi, Gowlipura, Charminar, Karwan, and Amberpet today.
The women devotees offered ‘Bonam’, containing cooked rice, jaggery, curd decorated neem leaves to goddess Mahankali.
Potharajus danced and the Ghatam will be done on Monday with offerings of sheep and Goat to Ammavaru.
Governor Bandaru Dattatreya also offered prayers along with his followers here. Bonalu and Bathukamma are very significant in the culture of Telangana he said.
Dr Laxman said that Lal Darwaja Bonalu is popular across the country and also the world. Bonalu is the specialty of Telangana he opined. This is celebrated cutting across the party line he stated.
Endowment Minister Indrakaran Reddy and animal husbandry minister T. Srinivas Yadav offered ‘Bangaru Bonam’ and silk robes to the deity on behalf of the state government.
The ministers said they offered prayers for the well-being and prosperity of the people of Telangana.
Indrakaran Reddy said the Bonalu festival symbolised the unique culture of Telangana. He said ever since Telangana state was formed, the BRS government has been making large-scale arrangements for the festival.
Cricketer Mithali Raj also offered Bonam to the Mahakali here. More two thousand police were deployed along with RAF forces in the old city for the Bonalu festival.
Bonalu was celebrated at Raj Bahavan also by the Governor Tamilisai , staff and others.
