Nine-Day Golconda Bonalu From June 22

The popular Asadam Bonalu will commence in the state from Thursday.

The State government has been celebrating the Bonalu festival officially ever since Telangana State was formed, and has made grand arrangements for this year's festival, too. Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav said that the State government was spending Rs 15 crore on the arrangements.

The festival will begin with the Golconda Bonalu, which will be held for a period of one month. Ministers Yadav, Mahmood Ali and Indrakaran Reddy will take part in the Golconda Bonalu and present silk clothes to the presiding deity, goddess Yellamma.

The first pooja will be on June 22, the second on June 25, the third on June 29, the fourth on July 2, the fifth on July 6, the sixth on July 9, the seventh on July 13, the eighth on July 16 and the 9th on July 20.

A large number of devotees are expected to attend the celebrations from all over Hyderabad and its surrounding areas. Heavy traffic congestion is therefore expected at following three routes leading to the Golconda fort: Ramdevguda to Golconda fort via Makkai Darwaza; Langar House to Golconda via Fateh Darwaza; and Seven Tombs, Golconda, to Golconda fort via Banjara Darwaza.

Commuters using the above roads are advised to take alternative routes in order to avoid inconvenience on the aforementioned dates from 8 am to 11 pm. In case of any emergency in travel, you may call the traffic helpline 9010203626.