Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Women dressed in their best attire, carrying bonams (pots filled with cooked rice and jiggery) made their way barefoot to offer prayers to Godess Mahankali at temples across the city here on Sunday. All localities hummed with traditional songs whole day long. A large number of devotees and several political leaders converged at the Goddess Mahakaali temples in the city on Sunday to celebrate the 'bonalu' festival during the Hindu month of Ashadha.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu offered silk clothes to Goddess Simhavahini Mahankali Ammavaru on behalf of the State government. State Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar visited the Goddess Bhagya Lakshmi temple at Charminar. State Panchayat Raj Minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka offered silk clothes to the goddess at the Khila Maisamma temple.

Thousands of worshippers gathered at the Simhavahini Mahakaali temple at Lal Darwaja here to offer prayers. The government made elaborate arrangements, including security measures, to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy offered prayers at the Mahakaali temples at Amberpet and Nimboliadda. The Deputy Chief minister of Telangana Bhatti Vikramarka informed that the government has allocated Rs 1,290 crore from the Common Good Fund for temple development across Telangana, of which Rs 20 crore is dedicated to Bonalu celebrations in Greater Hyderabad