Gandhari Maisamma bonalu celebrated in Mancherial

The annual Gandhari Maisamma bonalu festival was celebrated at Bokkalagutta village in Mancherial on Sunday, attracting around 30,000 devotees. Special prayers were offered, while police deployed over 100 personnel to manage crowds, ensure security and regulate traffic near the shrine

Mancherial: The annual Gandhari Maisamma bonalu festival was celebrated on a grand note in Bokkalagutta village on Sunday. The festival is organised in the month of Ashadam of the Hindu calendar year.

Around 30,000 devotees from Mancherial town and surrounding villages flocked to the temple located near Mancherial-Chandrapur National Highway 363. Serpentine queues were formed from early morning, and special prayers were offered. They presented a bonam, a sacred dish cooked using rice, jaggery and milk, to the deity to thank her for their well-being and fulfilled desires.

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The devotees then camped under makeshift tents. They cooked dishes after sacrificing goats and chickens. They dined along with family members and friends. The premises of the shrine came alive following the presence of the devotees. Youngsters and children visited Gandhari Vanam, an urban forest, after visiting the temple.

Traffic came to a standstill for a while due to devotees parking their vehicles on the NH 363 abutting the shrine. However, police swung into action and ensured free movement of vehicles. Over 100 policemen were deployed to control traffic, prevent untoward incidents, and manage the crowds.

Deputy Commissioner of Police A Bhaskar and Bellampalli ACP Ravi Kumar supervised the security arrangements.