Endowments minister C Ramachandraiah, on Sunday, said that the government would take a decision on celebrating the Bonalu festival as a state festival from next year.
Talking to media persons after offering silk clothes to the deity at Lal Darwaza Simhavahini Mahankali Bonalu Jatra, on the occasion of Bonalu, Ramachandraiah said that the government would issue orders declaring Bonalu as a state festival soon, on the lines of Samakka Sarakka Jatra, the biggest tribal festival in the Telangana region.
"Once the government decides on the issue, the orders will be issued soon," he stated.
Meanwhile, the temple authorities performed a Mahabhishekham from 6am, onwards. Thousands of devotees, particularly women, bee-lined to the temple with the Bonam on their heads, and offered it to the goddess. All the 14 temples in the Old City were decked up for Bonalu, and special arrangements were made to meet the rush of devotees. (INN)