Cyberabad Police order closure of liquor shops for Bonalu Festival on July 20

Hyderabad: In view of the Bonalu festival, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty, has ordered the closure of all toddy and wine shops, including bars in restaurants (excluding bars in star hotels and registered clubs), from 6:00 a.m. on July 20 to 6:00 a.m. on July 21 within the limits of the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate.

The order was issued under Section 20 of the Telangana State Excise Act (Act No. 6 of 1974), as part of efforts to maintain public order and ensure a peaceful celebration of the festival.

The Bonalu festival, a major tradition in Telangana, honours Goddess Kali in her various forms, including Mysamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Dokkalamma, Pedamma, Poleramma, Ankalamma, Maremma, and Nookalamma. Women offer Bonam, a meal of rice cooked with milk and jaggery in new earthen or brass pots, decorated with neem leaves, turmeric, and vermilion. The pots are carried on their heads to temples, where offerings including bangles and sarees are made to the Goddess.

On July 13, the historic Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad witnessed large crowds as devotees celebrated Bonalu. Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy offered silk clothes to the Goddess, while Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and his wife presented the first Bonam on behalf of the state government. Thousands participated in the rituals, which included special prayers for rain, good harvests, and the welfare of the state.

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar extended his greetings to the public and acknowledged the efforts made to ensure the smooth conduct of the celebrations. The Ashada Bonalu festivities began on June 26 with Golkonda Bonalu, followed by the Sri Renuka Yellamma Kalyanam in Balkampet on July 1.