The annual Ashadam Bonalu festivities began on a grand scale at the Sri Jagadambika temple in Golconda on Thursday.
To mark the beginning of the festival, the thottela procession was taken up from Langar House to the temple, and ministers Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Indrakaran Reddy and Mahmood Ali took part in the program.
On the occasion, the ministers on behalf of the State government presented the traditional "pattu vastralu" to the goddess.
Speaking to the media, Indrakaran Reddy said that the State government had been celebrating the Bonalu festival officially since the formation of Telangana State, and had so far spent Rs 78.15 crore from 2014 to 2022 on the celebrations.
This year, the State government had already released Rs 15 crore for the celebrations, and the festivities were being organised on a grand scale, the minister said.
Meanwhile, security has been enhanced in the locality, with teams of police personnel deployed to prevent any untoward incidents, and a network of surveillance cameras set up to maintain a constant vigil.