Elephant from Andhra Pradesh to grace Bonalu, Moharram processions in Hyderabad

The elephant from Anantapur has reportedly been trained to participate in various religious processions, says Forest Department official

Hyderabad: This year, the annual Bonalu festivities and Moharram processions in the city will feature an elephant from Andhra Pradesh, unlike last year when the animal was brought from Karnataka.

The decision was taken after the Mutt at Davanagere in Karnataka declined the Telangana Endowments Department’s request to permit an elephant for religious processions. The reasons for the refusal remain unclear.

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Following this, an appeal was made to a Mutt in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, which responded positively. A No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the formal appeal from the Endowments Department has already been approved, according to a Forest Department official.

Once the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department grants its NOC, other formalities will be completed. The elephant from Anantapur has reportedly been trained to participate in various religious processions, the official added.

The arrangements were initiated after the Akkanna Madanna Mahankali temple formally approached the Endowments Department requesting an elephant for the Bonalu festivities.

Although Bonalu is celebrated as a State festival, the temple made a formal request to the department only last month, said Akkanna Madanna Mahankali temple general secretary K Dattatreya.

Apart from this temple, others including the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad and the Nalla Pochamma temple in Sabzi Mandi also organise processions.

After the Bonalu festivities, the same elephant will be used in the Bibi-Ka-Alam procession held during Moharram.

Arranging an elephant a cumbersome process

Every year, the Endowments Department faces a challenge in arranging an elephant for various religious processions. Temple committees and other religious organisations seeking to conduct processions submit formal appeals to the department, paying requisite charges.

The arrangements include transportation of the elephant, deployment of veterinary doctors, and the presence of trainers. The department must then obtain a NOC from the Forest department. After securing approval from the other State, the elephant is brought to Telangana.

To avoid this cumbersome process, both the Forest and Endowments departments have urged major temples such as those in Yadagirigutta and Vemulawada to adopt elephants.

However, temple managements are still evaluating the pros and cons of adoption, including the cost of maintenance and other logistical factors, the official added.