The annual festival of Aashadam Bonalu began on a grand note at the Golconda fort today.
To mark the commencement of the festival, ministers Indrakaran Reddy and Srinivas Yadav lit the lamp for the golden Bonam at the Langer House X Roads and offered special prayers to the Thottela, made of bamboo sticks and colorful translucent papers, which is offered to the goddess by the people.
Both the golden Bonam and the Thottela were brought to the fort in a huge procession and were presented to the goddess.
The ministers later presented silk clothes to goddess Jagadambika on behalf of the State government and performed special pujas to the presiding deity.
Speaking to the media on the occasion, Minister for Endowments Indrakaran Reddy said that the Bonalu festival represented the culture of Telangana, and that the State government had earmarked Rs. 15 crore for the celebration of the prestigious festival.
Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali, Mayor Gadwal Vijaya Lakshmi, MLA Maganti Gopinath, other elected representatives, Hyderabad Commissioner of Police C V Anand and officials from various departments were present.