The Journalist Post
Dateline: Hyderabad | July 8, 2026
Endowments Minister Konda Surekha has directed officials to make elaborate arrangements for the Ashada Bonalu festival and the annual Sri Yellamma Kalyanam at the historic Balkampet Sri Yellamma Temple, ensuring that lakhs of devotees can participate in the celebrations safely and without inconvenience. Chairing a high-level coordination meeting at Balkampet on Wednesday, the Minister instructed all departments to work in close coordination to conduct the festivities in a grand and well-organised manner while maintaining the temple’s growing national and international reputation.
Emphasising the religious significance of the 700-year-old shrine, Minister Surekha said devotees believe that offering prayers at the Balkampet Sri Yellamma Temple is spiritually equivalent to visiting the Ashtadasha Shakti Peethas, making the annual Bonalu celebrations one of Telangana’s most revered festivals. She expressed confidence that this year’s festivities would be conducted with the same success witnessed over the past two years.
The Minister announced that the annual celebrations will begin with the Edurkolu ceremony at 5 p.m. on July 20, followed by the Sri Yellamma Kalyanam at 9 a.m. on July 21, while the grand Rathotsavam will be held at 6 p.m. on July 22. With lakhs of devotees expected to attend the three-day celebrations, she directed officials to ensure seamless arrangements for darshan, Bonalu offerings and crowd management.
Minister Surekha instructed departments including the Police, Traffic Police, GHMC, TGSPDCL, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), Health, Fire Services, TGSRTC, Roads & Buildings (R&B), Culture Department, Information & Public Relations (I&PR) and the Endowments Department to remain fully prepared. She stressed that special precautions must be taken in view of the ongoing monsoon season to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure uninterrupted electricity, sanitation, drinking water supply and public safety throughout the festival.
The Minister directed the Police and Traffic departments to implement comprehensive security arrangements, including traffic diversions, designated parking facilities, crowd control measures and dedicated queue lines for women, senior citizens, children, persons with disabilities and traditional devotees. She also instructed officials to strengthen security at VIP and VVIP entry points while ensuring smooth movement for all devotees. Officials were advised to establish a toll-free helpline to address devotees’ queries during the festival.
The GHMC was instructed to undertake sanitation drives, road repairs, mosquito control measures, garbage clearance, installation of temporary toilets and improvement of street lighting around the temple. The Water Board was directed to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply by deploying water tankers and establishing drinking water distribution points, while the Electricity Department was asked to maintain uninterrupted power supply with backup transformers, generators and emergency response teams on standby.
Minister Surekha further instructed the Endowments Department to complete floral and electrical decorations, arrangements for the Kalyana Mandapam and Rathotsavam, distribution of prasadam, deployment of volunteers and provision of all essential facilities within the temple premises. She also called for extensive publicity to create awareness about the cultural and spiritual significance of the Bonalu festival.
During the programme, Minister Konda Surekha, accompanied by officials, unveiled the official posters for the Ashada Bonalu Jatara and Sri Yellamma Kalyanam. She later offered special prayers to Goddess Yellamma, seeking prosperity for Telangana and the well-being of its people.
The review meeting was attended by Endowments Department Director Hanumantha Rao, Water Board Managing Director Ashok Reddy, I&PR Special Commissioner Mukunda Reddy, Hyderabad Collector Priyanka Ala, Additional Commissioner of Police Iqbal, Culture Department Director Enugu Narasimha Reddy, R&B Chief Engineer Narasimha Rao, along with senior officials from the Police, GHMC, Fire Services, Health Department, TGSPDCL and other departments.
