Bonalu Festival 2026 Begins July 16: Hyderabad Readies for Grand Celebrations
HYDERABAD: The annual Ashadam Bonalu festival will begin on July 16 at the Sri Jagadamba Mahankali Temple atop the historic Golconda Fort. The month-long celebrations will conclude on August 10 with traditional processions from the Sri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple in Lal Darwaza and the Sri Akkanna Madanna Temple in Haribowli to the Musi River near Afzalgunj.
The Telangana government has made elaborate arrangements for the festival in coordination with all departments. Bonalu is one of the state’s most important cultural and spiritual festivals. To support the celebrations, the government has released ₹15.05 crore for 3,427 temples within the old Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits.
Major temples to host Bonalu celebrations
The main Bonalu celebrations will take place at the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad on August 2. The traditional Rangam ritual will follow on August 3. Later, the festival will conclude with Bonalu celebrations at the Sri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple in Lal Darwaza and the Sri Akkanna Madanna Temple in Haribowli on August 10.
Meanwhile, the state government will offer silk clothes at nearly 30 major temples across Hyderabad and Secunderabad. These include the Sri Jagadamba Mahankali Temple at Golconda, Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple at Secunderabad, Katta Maisamma-Pochamma Temple, Sri Akkanna Madanna Temple at Haribowli, Darbar Maisamma Temple at Karwan, Sri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple at Lal Darwaza, Sri Bhagyalakshmi Ammavari Temple near Charminar and Sri Mahankali Temple at Mir Alam Mandi.
Ministers and senior officials will participate in these ceremonial offerings.
Traditional rituals and processions
During the festival, women dressed in colourful silk saris carry bonam, a decorated pot filled with cooked rice and jaggery. They decorate the offering with turmeric, vermilion and neem leaves before presenting it to Goddess Mahankali.
In addition, local youth organise the traditional phalaharam bandi procession. Potharajus, with their bodies covered in turmeric and vermilion, lead the processions. They dance energetically to the beats of teen maar drums, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The Rangam ritual is another major attraction. It takes place on the morning after the main Bonalu celebrations. During the ritual, the temple oracle stands on a wet earthen pot and delivers predictions. Devotees believe these predictions carry the blessings of Goddess Mahankali and offer guidance on the welfare of the state.
Ministers review festival arrangements
Earlier, Endowments Minister Konda Surekha and Hyderabad in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reviewed the festival preparations.
The ministers instructed officials to stay alert throughout the celebrations. They also directed departments to ensure smooth crowd management, adequate security and uninterrupted civic services so that devotees can celebrate without inconvenience.
Bonalu 2026 schedule
- July 16: Bonalu begins at Sri Jagadamba Mahankali Temple, Golconda.
- July 20–22: Balkampet Yellamma Kalyanotsavam celebrations.
- August 2: Main Bonalu celebrations at Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple, Secunderabad.
- August 3: Rangam ceremony.
- August 9: Bonalu at Sri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple, Lal Darwaza.
- August 10: Concluding processions from Sri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple, Lal Darwaza, and Sri Akkanna Madanna Temple, Haribowli, to the Musi River near Afzalgunj.
