Pomp and gaiety marked the celebration of Bonalu, the folk festival of Telangana, on Sunday.
The festival, which was accorded the status of the “state festival” after the formation of separate Telangana, assumes significance as this is the first ‘Bonalu’ in the new state.
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao visited Mahankali temple in the city and offered prayers to the goddess and greeted people on the occasion.
Hundreds of people offered prayers at Mahakali temples in the Old City and in other parts of Hyderabad. Women in their best attire, carried the ‘Bonalu’ (decorated pots containing food) on their heads to the temple for offering them to the goddess. Bonalu is celebrated to ward off disease and usher in good health, peace and prosperity.
The Bonalu festivities began about a month ago and they would culminate tomorrow with processions being carried out.