Majestic elephant procession marks Lashkar Bonalu celebrations in Secunderabad

Lakshmi, the caparisoned elephant carrying the sacred portrait of Goddess Mahakali, led the traditional Ambari procession during Lashkar Bonalu in Secunderabad. Hundreds of devotees gathered along the route as cultural performances and strict safety measures marked the annual religious event.

Hyderabad: A majestic elephant procession wound its way through the bustling streets of Secunderabad on Monday. Hundreds of devotees lined up on either side of the road to witness the procession, which became the highlight of the historic Lashkar Bonalu celebrations.

Carrying the sacred portrait of Goddess Mahakali, the caparisoned elephant passed through Mahankali Street, General Bazaar, MG Road and RP Road, covering roughly three kilometres.

---

The elephant leading the procession was Lakshmi, an elephant hired annually by the Telangana Endowments Department from Karnataka. Strict guidelines from forest departments capped the procession at five hours, banned firecrackers, and mandated the presence of a qualified veterinary doctor.

Commencing at 12.30 pm and concluding around 5 pm, the procession drew massive crowds of devotees and local shopkeepers. It was accompanied by the high-energy performances of Potharajus, Shivasattus, and Jogini trance dancers moving to booming drum beats.

The traditional Ambari procession precedes Lakshmi’s scheduled participation in two other major regional events, including the Nalla Pochamma Temple in Karwan and the Akkanna-Madanna Mahankali Temple in Hari Bowli, Old City.