Minister asks officials to ensure seamless facilities for lakhs of devotees; special focus on safety, accessibility and coordinated festival management.
THE JOURNALIST POST
Secunderabad| July 10, 2026
Telangana Minister for Forest, Environment and Endowments Konda Surekha on Friday directed officials to make elaborate arrangements for the Ujjaini Sri Mahankali Ashada Bonalu Jatara in Secunderabad, stating that the festival reflects the spiritual and cultural identity of the people of Telangana.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Ujjaini Sri Mahankali Temple, the Minister instructed all departments to work in close coordination to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival and provide hassle-free darshan to the lakhs of devotees expected to attend.
She said the Bonalu Jatara showcases Telangana’s unique traditions and should be celebrated with grandeur in accordance with the directions of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Appreciating the State Government’s allocation of ₹20 crore for this year’s Bonalu celebrations, she said every effort should be made to conduct the festivities in a safe, organised and devotional atmosphere.
Minister Surekha directed officials to pay special attention to the needs of children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, senior citizens and persons with disabilities by providing dedicated queue lines and priority darshan facilities. She also instructed the authorities to make separate arrangements for Shiva Sathus arriving to offer Bonam, ensuring they receive convenient access to the temple.
Taking previous experiences into account, the Minister asked officials to prepare an improved action plan for the movement and darshan of VIPs and VVIPs without causing inconvenience to general devotees.
She directed that the temple be beautifully decorated with flowers and illumination throughout the festival period—from the Ghatam Edurkolu on July 19 until the Rangam ceremony on August 3. Officials were instructed to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply, sanitation, temporary toilets, power supply, CCTV surveillance, traffic management and adequate police deployment.
The Fire Services Department was directed to remain on high alert considering the large number of devotees carrying traditional Bonam offerings and oil lamps. Adequate firefighting personnel and equipment will be stationed at key locations to ensure public safety.
The Minister also instructed the Endowments Department to ensure uninterrupted availability of prasadam, including laddu, vada and pulihora, for devotees. The Information and Public Relations Department was asked to undertake extensive publicity across the state and facilitate live telecasts and LED screens within the temple premises for devotees.
The review meeting was attended by former Sanathnagar MLA Marri Shashidhar Reddy, Endowments Department Director Hanumantha Rao, Secunderabad DCP Rakshita Krishna Murthy, Additional DCP (Traffic) Ramulu, Director of Culture Enugu Narasimha Reddy, senior Endowments officials, representatives from GHMC, Police, Health, Electricity, Fire Services, TGSRTC, and members of various temple and community organisations.