A city in celebration as Hyderabad marks Bonalu

The drums began early, the bonams arrived in a bright procession and the streets around Lal Darwaza slowly turned into a moving canvas of turmeric, vermilion, neem leaves and flowers. By evening, the Ashada Bonalu celebrations had given Hyderabad’s Old City its familiar festive pulse, even as large parts of the city appeared unusually quiet.

Several shops across Hyderabad remained shut on Sunday, while the usually busy roads saw thinner traffic on the weekend. However, the quiet streets were punctuated by the sound of drums, devotional songs and the steady movement of devotees towards temples.

TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Endowment Minister Konda Surekha and MP Anil Kumar Yadav participate during Bonalu festival at Lal Darwaza Simhavahini Mahankali Temple in Hyderabad on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
RAMAKRIASHNA G.

At the Sri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple in Lal Darwaza, and in temples across the city, women carrying decorated bonam pots made their way through the crowds, many decked in colourful saris and traditional jewellery. The smell of incense mingled with that of food being prepared for the festival, while groups of devotees waited patiently for darshan.

Devotees waiting in queue to offer prayers during Bonalu festival at Lal Darwaza Simhavahini Mahankali Temple in Hyderabad on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
RAMAKRIASHNA G.

“The streets feel different today. Usually there is traffic and noise everywhere, but once the procession starts, everyone seems to slow down and become part of the festival,” said a devotee from Manikonda.

The festival also had a noticeable impact on the city’s meat markets. Chicken shops reported a rush in demand, with several outlets running short of stock even in the evening as families prepared festive meals. “We had more customers than usual and the stock moved very quickly. By evening, it was difficult to keep up with the demand,” said Narender, a chicken shop owner in Secunderabad’s Alwal.

A Potharaju dancing during the Bonalu festival at Lal Darwaza on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
RAMAKRISHNA G.

For many residents, however, Bonalu remained as much about neighbourhood traditions as the large temple celebrations. “Every year we wait for this day. We decorate the bonam, visit the temple and meet relatives. It is one of those occasions when the whole neighbourhood feels like one family,” said Ravi Pulakesi, a resident of Marredpally.

The festivities unfolded under a heightened security blanket. Hyderabad Commissioner of Police V.C. Sajjanar inspected arrangements at the Lal Darwaza temple and offered prayers to the deity. He said robust security measures had been put in place for 48 hours in and around the temple.

Around 2,400 police personnel were deployed in two shifts for bandobast duties, while SHE Teams and crime teams were pressed into service. Static pickets were also positioned at temples to protect devotees.

The police deployed AI-enabled cameras for continuous surveillance, particularly to identify suspected thieves and chain-snatchers. Drones and additional CCTV cameras were installed at the temple and along procession routes, while a dedicated control room near Union Bank at Lal Darwaza monitored the arrangements.

Hyderabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar interacting with devotees at Lal Darwaza.
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By Arrangement

“We have made extensive arrangements and the celebrations are progressing peacefully with the cooperation of devotees,” Mr Sajjanar said.

By evening, the city had settled into an unusual rhythm: quieter roads and shuttered shops in several neighbourhoods, but a riot of colour, sound and devotion around the temples. For a city accustomed to traffic horns and hurried commutes, Bonalu once again offered a reminder that Hyderabad has another soundtrack, and on festival days, it tends to be considerably louder.