Hyderabad (Telangana): One of the biggest festivals of Telangana - Bonalu, also know as Ashada Jatara, started on Sunday in Secunderabad's Mahankali Temple.
It is observed once a year during the months of July/ August.
Early morning on Sunday, State Minister Talasani Srinivasa Yadav offered saree to the goddess Yellamma to start the 'jatara'.
It is believed that nearly 4 lakh devotees will attend the temple on the first two days of the festival.
Central Minister of Home Affairs (State) G Kishan Reddy, several State Ministers Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Srinivas Goud, Indrakaran reddy and MLAs Padma Devender Reddy visited the temple.
The Hyderabad City Police have made foolproof security arrangements at Sri Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad.
Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar said that over 2000 police personnel are deployed to take care of the situation. About 200 CCTV cameras are installed for the surveillance and 25 SHE teams are working round the clock.
The story behind Bonalu festival and its rituals
It is believed that during Ashada Maasam, the goddess returns to her maternal home so that people come to see her and bring food offerings to show their love and affection, just as they would prepare a special meal when their own daughters visit her.
Each group of devotees offer a 'thotte', a small colourful structure of the paper supported by sticks, as a mark of respect for the goddess.
In the festival, food plays a major role. From the snacks sold on the road in Prasadam form to the animals sacrificed to the goddess, later enjoyed as a non-vegetarian meal by the families.
It is basically a celebration of the local Telangana people's gratitude and food.
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