Hyderabad: Ashada Bonalu festivities commenced on Thursday with the offering of the first Bonam to Goddess Jagadambika at the historic Golconda Fort temple.
Forest, Environment and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha and Hyderabad in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar offered silk robes to the presiding deity on behalf of the Telangana government.
Temple priests welcomed the ministers with traditional rituals. They later offered the first Bonam alongside devotees, Shivasattulu and Pothurajus. Cultural performances and drumbeats marked the celebrations.
Surekha also encouraged folk artists by participating in the festivities with the traditional *Eeragola*.
Ashada Bonalu celebrations begin with traditional rituals
Meanwhile, the two ministers released the Ashada Bonalu booklet prepared by the Department of Culture. They also presented a cheque of ₹11 lakh to the Golconda Jagadambika Temple Committee on behalf of the State government.
Extending Bonalu greetings, Surekha described the festival as a symbol of Telangana’s culture, traditions and spiritual heritage. She said the government was organising the celebrations on a grand scale.
Further, the Minister expressed hope that Goddess Jagadambika’s blessings would reduce the impact of El Niño. She also prayed for abundant rainfall and the State’s continued development.
She said the Congress government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had placed public welfare at the centre of its governance. Besides major temples, the government had allocated funds to smaller temples during the festival, she added.
Meanwhile, Surekha said officials had made comprehensive arrangements for devotees. She added that the measures would help pilgrims participate in the festivities without inconvenience.
Government Adviser V. Hanumantha Rao, MLA Danam Nagender, former MP Madhu Yaskhi Goud, Telangana Mahila Congress president Errabelli Swarna, Endowments Principal Secretary Shailaja Ramaiyer, Hyderabad Collector Dr. Priyanka Ala and other officials attended the programme.