Lal Darwaza to be a pilgrim centre: KCR

Hyderabad: Stating that Telangana had become a reality with the blessings of Lal Darwaza Mahankali ammavaru, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said on Sunday that temple would soon be expanded to make it a memorable pilgrim centre. The Chief Minister offered 'Bangaru Bonam' and 'Pattu Vastrams' to the deity at Lal Darwaza in the Old City on behalf of the State government.

This is the first Bonalu after the formation of Telangana where it is being celebrated as a State festival. The CM said the temple would be expanded and a memorable place would come up here.

'When I came here, the temple priest said that about 75,000 to 1 lakh people visit the temple this auspicious day every year and the temple premise was becoming small.

We will provide the best compensation to locals here and provide better facilities to the devotees,' said the CM. The temple committee, which had promised to offer a golden Bonam on Telangana becoming a reality, prepared the Bonam and the Chief Minister offered it to the deity.

Later, Nizamabad MP K Kavita, Congress MLA J Geeta Reddy too offered Bangaru Bonam. Earlier, the CM prayed at Akkanna Madanna temple near Hari Bowli in the Old City. Celebrated to ward off evil and usher in peace and harmony, the first Bonalu festival after the formation of Telangana was celebrated with pomp and gaiety.

The festival, which reflects the rich culture of Telangana, was celebrated in a traditional manner across the city. Thousands of women folk offered Bonam to the deity at various temples across the city.

Women made offerings in the form of food to goddess Mahankali in specially decorated pots. Attired in their best, they carried the Bonam personally to offer it to the deity.

The celebrations in Hyderabad will culminate on Monday with the traditional procession in the Old City. Leaders who attended the temple celebrations included Deputy Chief Minister Mahamood Ali, Home Minister Naini Narasimha Reddy, adviser to government K V Ramana Chary, GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar and senior officials.

Telangana senior Congress leader K Jana Reddy, former MP from Secunderabad Anjan Kumar Yadav, Sanathnagar MLA Talasani Srinivas Yadav and others worshipped the lion-riding goddess on the occasion. The month-long festivities in the state capital began early this month.

Similar celebrations were held in Golconda and Secunderabad. The festival is also being celebrated in the nine other districts of Telangana. The Hyderabad police made elaborate arrangements for the Bonalu by deploying some 6,000 police personnel in the entire Old city.