Bonalu Festival 2026: Minister Azharuddin, Konda Surekha Review Arrangements; Rs 20 Crore Allocated for Grand Ashada Bonalu Celebrations

Hyderabad: Telangana Forests, Environment, Endowments and Charitable Institutions Minister Konda Surekha, along with Minister Azharuddin, reviewed preparations for the upcoming Ashada Bonalu Festival during a coordination meeting held through Zoom at MCR HRD Institute. Participating from London, Konda Surekha said Bonalu is a symbol of Telangana’s spiritual faith, cultural traditions, women’s devotion, and collective public belief. She thanked Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for allocating Rs 20 crore for this year’s Bonalu celebrations and directed all departments to work together to ensure the successful conduct of the festival from July 16 to August 13.

The Minister stated that while Bonalu celebrations were earlier conducted within the limits of a single corporation, this year the festival will be celebrated on a grand scale across three corporations.

Government Preparing for Grand Bonalu Celebrations Across Telangana

Konda Surekha said the Telangana government is implementing a comprehensive action plan to conduct the Ashada Bonalu festivities in a grand manner. She described Bonalu as a festival that represents the spiritual beliefs, cultural traditions, and folk heritage of Telangana.

The Minister instructed officials from all departments to work in coordination and ensure that devotees face no inconvenience during the celebrations.

Bonalu Celebrations from July 16 to August 13

The Minister informed the meeting that Bonalu festivities will be held in temples located in:

• Hyderabad
• Secunderabad
• Rangareddy district
• Medchal-Malkajgiri district

The celebrations will begin on July 16 at the Golconda Sri Jagadamba Mahankali Temple and continue until August 13.

Konda Surekha said that since she is currently on an official visit to London, she was participating in the review meeting through Zoom and issuing instructions to officials remotely.

Minister Azharuddin, Ponnam Prabhakar and Senior Officials Attend Meeting

The Bonalu coordination meeting was attended by:

• Minister Azharuddin
• Minister Ponnam Prabhakar
• MLC Boggarapu Dayanand
• MLA Naveen Yadav
• MLA Danam Nagender
• DGP C.V. Anand
• Endowments Department Principal Secretary Shailaja Ramaiyer
• Director Hanumantha Rao
• Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Sajjanar
• Religious Advisor Govinda Hari

Senior officials from GHMC, Police, Electricity, Roads & Buildings, Water Works, Medical & Health, Fire Services, RTC, Metro, Tourism, and Information & Public Relations Departments also participated in the meeting.

Traditional Bonalu Rituals Showcase Telangana Culture

Konda Surekha said traditional Bonalu events including:

• Ghatotsavams
• Bonalu offerings
• Saka Samarpana
• Thottela processions
• Pothuraju performances
• Rangam programmes
• Gavupattadam
• Saganampu

reflect the rich cultural heritage of Telangana.

She said the government is committed to preserving these traditions and implementing necessary measures for their protection.

Rs 20 Crore to Improve Facilities for Devotees

The Minister noted that government assistance for Bonalu celebrations has increased significantly over the years.

She directed officials to utilize the funds for:

• Temple infrastructure development
• Facilities for devotees
• Decorative lighting
• Flower decorations
• CCTV camera installation
• Queue line management
• Drinking water arrangements
• Sanitation maintenance
• Medical camps

Special Measures for Traffic, Transport and Safety

Konda Surekha instructed the Endowments Department, GHMC, Police Department, Electricity Department, Roads and Buildings Department, Water Works, RTC, Railways, Medical and Health Department, Fire Services Department, Tourism Department, and Information & Public Relations Department to work in coordination.

She directed officials to ensure:

• Special traffic plans at crowded temples
• Additional RTC bus services
• Medical teams at major temples
• Strong security arrangements
• Special facilities for elderly devotees

The Minister also instructed authorities to establish lactation rooms for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

Mahalakshmi Free Bus Scheme Expected to Increase Devotee Footfall

Konda Surekha stated that the Congress government’s Mahalakshmi Free Bus Scheme is likely to increase the number of devotees visiting Bonalu venues from different parts of Telangana.

In view of the expected rush, she requested Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar to take special measures to strengthen transportation arrangements during the festival period.

Minister Azharuddin joined Minister Konda Surekha in reviewing preparations for the Ashada Bonalu Festival 2026, which will be celebrated from July 16 to August 13 across Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts. Beginning at the Golconda Sri Jagadamba Mahankali Temple, the festival will be organized on a grand scale across three corporations. With Rs 20 crore allocated by the Telangana government under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, officials have been directed to provide comprehensive facilities, transportation, security, medical support, and infrastructure improvements to ensure the successful conduct of Telangana’s iconic Bonalu festival.

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