Bonalu ends with pomp in Hyderabad | Telangana Today
Hyderabad: Braving a steady downpour, people turned up in large numbers to participate in the Mahankali Ghatam procession, which passed off peacefully in the old city on Monday evening with the immersion of the Ghatams in River Musi at Nayapul.
The downpour, which commenced late in the afternoon, did not dampen the Bonalu celebrations but delayed the festivities and processions. The 11-day Bonalu festivities concluded with the Ghatam procession on Monday.
At majority of the Mahankali temples, the Ghatam processions commenced late in the evening. Led by the caparisoned elephant carrying the Ghatam of Akkanna Madanna temple at Hari Bowli, the processions of different temples commenced around 5 pm.
The processions passed via Shalibanda, Charminar, Gulzar Houz and Nayapul. Though the processions took off late, en route, police ensured that they did not get delayed, said K Dattatreya, Secretary of Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali Manidram.
Unmindful of the rain, many people lined up along the procession route to offer prayers to the goddess Mahankali and witness the revelry. There are nearly 23 popular Mahankali temples in old city and temple managements made elaborate arrangements for the processions to pass off through peacefully.
Rangam predicts bountiful rains and prosperity
The oracles at different Mahankali temples as part of Rangam predicted bountiful rains and prosperity in the State. Replying to a query, the oracle Anuradha at Akkanna Madanna temple assured the people that Goddess would save them from terrorism and other eventualities.
The oracle Sushilamma at Darbar Mysamma too predicted about good rains and agriculture yields. She wanted the people to pray and save the nature, which in turn would protect them.
She ordered the people to plant more trees and ensure their survival. All the temples were decked up aesthetically for the Rangam, ghatam and other rituals. Temple managements roped in folk artists from different regions to make the processions colourful and lively.
Amidst the rains, dancing to the resounding drum beats, youngsters celebrated the festivities with gaiety and fervour. Anointed in colours and sporting getups of different mythological characters, artists performed during the procession. Till the last reports came in, police said the processions passed off peacefully.
