Golconda Bonalu from July 7 to 17: Talasani

Hyderabad, July 3: The State Government was making elaborate arrangements for the traditional Bonalu festival in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Cinematography Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav today said. Accompanied by GHMC Mayor Bonthu Rammohan and officials, the Minister made a visit to a temple near Golconda fort on Sunday and reviewed the arrangements for the devout. Speaking on the occasion, Srinivas Yadav said the government wants communal amity and brotherhood among the Hindus and Muslims as Bonalu and holy Ramzan are being celebrated in a big way. The famous Golconda Bonalu will be held on July 7 to 17, Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu on July 24 and 25 and Lal Darwaza Bonalu on July 31 and August 1, Yadav said. For all these festivities, the officials should coordinate to ensure that there shall be no paucity of funds for the facilities like power, illumination of the temples water, sanitation, traffic regulation, ambulance services, security, barricading and parking facility, he said. As a large number of people flock the Bonalu at Golconda, a focus was needed to repair roads, cover manholes, water leakages and others, he said. GHMC, R&B, Archeology, Information & Cultural departments should play a key role to reflect the historic importance and specialty of traditional Bonalu which is a State festival in Telangana, he maintained. Rammohan said Bonalu is famous in the national capital and abroad too. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has released Rs 5 crore, he said. Besides sprucing up the temples with attractive illumination and lighting, officials should take steps to trimming of trees, closure of pits and potholes on roads, patch works, sanitation and traffic regulation and parking, he added.