Grand Arrangements For Bonalu Jathara: TRS Leaders

Telangana Environment and Forests Minister A Indrakaran Reddy and Animal Husbandry and Cinematography Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav today said that elaborate arrangements were being made for the grand Bonalu Jathara to be held at Secunderabad's Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Devasthnam.

Speaking at a review meeting held to address the preparations needed for the celebration of Bonalu in the twin cities, the ministers said that the festivities, an important cultural part of the harvest season, would be conducted over two days, on July 25 and 26.

They directed the officials concerned to provide the Secunderabad shrine with the facilities needed for "hassle-free darshans", for the benefit of the devotees.

"To make the festivities a success, our government has given adequate funds to the temple. These steps have been taken to ensure the smooth conduct of Bonalu celebrations and ceremonies. Officials should now spruce up the temple and the by-lanes surrounding it with lights and other infrastructure. They should ensure that the area is clean and must implement all the necessary Covid-19 safety norms. Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has urged all the devotees, officials and temple staff to follow Covid-appropriate protocols. Take steps to see that the ceremony is conducted in a safe manner," Reddy and Yadav added.

The ministers then stated that the officials would be required to take steps for traffic regulation in the area, socially-distanced queues, the barricading of roads and providing parking space.

They explained that the government was expecting large crowds of devotees to visit the temple to pray and appealed to them to wear masks, sanitise their hands and maintain social distancing norms during the celebrations.

Reports say that the two leaders will offer traditional silk clothes to the presiding deity on July 25 and pray for the wellbeing of the people of Telangana.