The two-day state festival Bonalu today started off with festive fervour and gaiety as women and girls clad in traditional new and silk clothes thronged temples, including the 107-year-old Lal Darwaja temple in the Old City for the Simhavahini goddess, and the Akkanna Madanna temple in Hari Bowli, in huge numbers carrying traditional pots embellished with vermillion, turmeric and neem branches over their heads.
The women and girls offered bonalu (short for "bhojanalu", or food) to the goddess, and attended special pujas. Devotees also offered the traditional Thottela.
The festival will conclude on Monday in the Old City and other parts of the twin cities.
Earlier, the festival was also held in Golconda and Secunderabad for two days each, with a large number of people celebrating each time.
The state government made elaborate arrangements for the peaceful conduct of the rituals.