Ashada Jatara – poupularly known as Bonalu – declared State festival by the Telangana Government. A G.O to this effect was issued by the Endowments department. The month long festival starts at Jagadamba Mahankali Temple at Golkonda to continue at 115 different temples including the famous Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad.
Huge congregation of devotees descend to different temples to offer bonaalu as per custom and usage. The State Festival status will attract the Government’s financial aid apart from the services of different departments of Water Works, Sanitation, Electricity and Police.
The demand to make Bonalu a State Festival had fallen on deaf ears as the successive Andhra dominated governments ignored it. With the decision, the Government once again proved that it not only respects the sentiments of the region but also represents it.