Bonalu festivities to begin in Telangana, officials urge Covid-19 norms:
1. Bonalu festivities to begin in Telangana, officials urge Covid-19 norms:
Bonalu is a traditional folk festival celebrated every year in the Telugu month of Ashadham (falling in (June and July), in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, and some other parts of Telangana state.
Bonalu celebrations in Hyderabad: A performer blows fire from his mouth as he performs during the annual Hindu religious festival. (Reuters / Krishnendu Halder)
Telangana is all set to celebrate the 'Asha Bonalu' festival, one of the biggest traditional folk festivals in the state, on Sunday. The event was canceled by the state government last year in view of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. The Bonalu festival was declared a 'state festival' by the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led government after the state's formation back in 2014.
The Bonalu festival, a month-long event, is expected to see a heavy rush from women devotees this year since many were restricted from properly making their offerings last year in view of the Covid-19 curbs. According to reports, the authorities are expecting thousands of devotees to crowd the temple premises on weekdays.
Bonalu this year is the first festival allowed after Telangana conducted a mass Covid-19 vaccination drive. To reduce the risk of virus spread, both the state police as well as temple authorities will be supervising the crowd and ensuring proper adherence to coronavirus-related protocols, officials familiar with the matter told news agencies.