Hyderabad: Bonalu festival 2026 begins at Golconda temple on July 16

Telangana’s iconic Bonalu festival will begin on July 16 at the Sri Jagadamba Mahankali Temple in Golconda. Month-long celebrations across 3,427 temples in Hyderabad will include traditional rituals, processions and government-supported arrangements to ensure a smooth experience for devotees.

Hyderabad: The Ashada Masa Bonalu Jatara, a symbol of spiritual and cultural heritage of Telangana, is all set to start from Thursday, July 16, at Sri Jagadamba Mahankali Temple, Golconda. The month-long festivities will be held across 3, 427 temples in the Greater Hyderabad limits between July 16 and August 13, with the State government allocating Rs 15.05 crore for the smooth conduct of the celebrations.

Hyderabad in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, who reviewed Bonalu preparedness, emphasised the need for seamless coordination between various government departments to ensure that devotees face no inconvenience.

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On behalf of the State government, Ministers and officials will traditionally present silk robes (Pattu Vastralu) at major shrines, including those at Golconda, Ujjaini Mahankali, Chilakalaguda, Haribowli, Karwan, Lal Darwaza, Charminar, and Meeralam Mandi, along with approximately 30 other prominent temples in the city. The festivities will culminate with the traditional Phalaharam Bandla (procession of offering carts).

The Minister has directed officials to expedite all arrangements, including the setup of queue lines, drinking water facilities, sanitation, uninterrupted power supply, road repairs, traffic management, medical services, and security, as well as decorative lighting and floral arrangements.

Bonalu festival important dates:

July 16: Bonalu festivities at the Sri Jagadamba Mahankali Temple, Golconda

July 20, 21, 22: Balkampet Yellamma Kalyanam Utsavalu. (July 20: Edurkolu Utsavam, July 21: Ammanavari Kalyanam, July 22: Rathotsavam)

August 2: Bonalu at the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple, Secunderabad

August 3: Rangam programme

August 9: Lal Darwaza Simhavahini Ammavari Bonalu, along with celebrations at other major temples across the city