Ujjaini Mahakali temple in Secunderabad gears up for Lashkar Bonalu
For devotees' convenience, several additional amenities have been arranged, including battery-operated cars for senior citizens, LED display screens at key points, waterproof shelters, and temporary toilets.
The two-day Bonalu festivities at the Ujjaini Mahakali temple in Secunderabad, scheduled for July 13 and 14, mark the pinnacle of Ashada month celebrations. The temple has been decorated with flowers,and barricading works are near completion. An estimated 40 to 45 lakh devotees are expected to participate in the event.
Governor Jishnu Dev Varma visited the temple and performed special pujas. A gold Bonam and a Pochampally saree will be offered to the deity as part of the ceremonial offerings. The iconic 30-year-old elephant from Karnataka will lead the Rangam procession.
TGSRTC to operate over 170 special buses for Bonalu
Hyderabad: In view of the Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu celebrations, TGSRTC has arranged special bus services on July 13 and 14 for devotees. Over 170 special buses will be operated from various key locations to Secunderabad. Buses will ply from MGBS, Kachiguda Railway Station, Jubilee Bus Stand, Charminar, Mehdipatnam, Nampally, Old Alwal, Sainikpuri, Sanathnagar, Borabanda, Patancheru, and other locations. Devotees can reach out to communication centres set up at Rathifile Bus Station (9959226154) and Koti Bus Stand (9959226160) for assistance.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
This Road Trip From Hyderabad Feels Like Kerala During Monsoons – But Hardly Anyone Knows About It
What if you could taste Kerala's monsoon magic, without ever leaving Telangana? There's a road trip that begins just a few hours from Hyderabad. It weaves through rolling hills, misty forests, and lakeside villages so lush, they feel like borrowed frames from a Malayalam film. And yet, hardly anyone talks about it. Let's fix that. Where Exactly Are We Headed? Destination: Bhadrachalam to Papi Kondalu via the Godavari. A route that feels like it was carved by the rain gods themselves. We're not talking about typical weekend getaways here. This is an experience layered with sights, smells, and stillness. The kind that creeps up on you slowly. The kind that stays. Why Does It Feel Like Kerala? Because monsoon here doesn't just fall. It arrives. It drapes everything in green. Coconut groves sway near tribal hamlets. Plantain trees lean into winding roads. Even the mist moves like a character in the story. And just like Kerala, this region is defined by water. The Godavari river becomes the trip's silent guide Backwater-like stretches line the way to Papi Hills You'll spot traditional boats that look straight out of Alleppey But here's the twist: no crowds, no inflated prices, no 'too-touristy' fatigue. Start Point: Hyderabad to Bhadrachalam – The Road That Transforms Set your wheels rolling from Hyderabad early morning. In about 7 hours, you'll reach Bhadrachalam. But it's not just the destination, it's the transitions along the way. The dry Deccan plateau slowly gives way to lush Eastern Ghats Hillocks start wearing green shawls of monsoon mist And every roadside tea stall feels like a scene waiting to be painted By the time you reach Bhadrachalam, it doesn't feel like Telangana anymore. It feels like you've crossed a climate border. Papi Kondalu: The Hidden Amazon of South India You've heard of the Western Ghats. You've probably seen Munnar or Wayanad in reels. But Papi Kondalu? Still flying under the radar. This hill range cradles the Godavari in its arms, forming narrow gorges, emerald islands, and mist-wrapped cliffs that rise like sentinels. And during monsoon, it becomes a living oil painting. Boat rides start from Polavaram or Rajahmundry They glide through foggy waters, past waterfalls and tribal villages You can stay overnight in eco-camps on the riverbanks or houseboats docked quietly by the shore It's Kerala, without the clichés. What Makes This Trip So Special During Monsoon? Two words: Undiscovered intimacy. Unlike popular monsoon spots that feel like a festival, this trail feels like a secret. There's space to breathe. To pause. To absorb. Roads are open, not jammed with buses or bikers Tribal festivals like Bonalu echo through small hamlets Seasonal fruits, jamun, bamboo rice, and custard apple, are everywhere And above all, the rain isn't just background weather. It's a character. A Few Key Stops That Elevate This Trip Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary Just outside Palwancha, this sanctuary is home to dense teak forests, peacocks in the wild, and a reservoir that mirrors the sky. Bhadrachalam Temple Town Sacred, serene, and soaked in devotion. During monsoon, the Godavari here feels like a sacred stream from ancient epics. Perantalapalli Village Accessible via boat, this hidden village near Papi Hills is a cultural time capsule. Think bamboo huts, herbal teas, and tribal crafts. Maredumilli Forests If you take the return route via Rajahmundry, a detour to these forests is non-negotiable. Waterfalls, forest cuisine, and raw serenity. So, Who Is This Trip For? Not for checklist tourists. This is for the slow travellers. The 'experience first, Instagram later' kind. The ones who'd trade five-star hotels for foggy forests and riverside chai. But more importantly, it's for anyone in Hyderabad craving Kerala's vibe without spending a fortune or taking flights. When to Go, What to Carry, and How to Plan Best time: July to September (early monsoon if you prefer light drizzle; peak monsoon if you love the drama) Route tip: Hyderabad → Bhadrachalam → Papi Kondalu → Rajahmundry → Maredumilli → Back to Hyderabad (circular loop) Must-carry items: Rain-proof hiking shoes Mosquito repellent Offline maps (signal dips often) Power banks, snacks, and a flask of ginger chai Pro tip: Avoid weekends if you want the place to yourself. Weekdays = solitude. So Why Doesn't Everyone Know About This Yet? Because it breaks the pattern. It's not 'trending' on Instagram yet. It's not in the typical 'Top 10 monsoon getaways' listicles. And it demands a little effort, just enough to keep the noise out. But maybe that's the point. Some places are better left undiscovered, until you're ready to feel them, not just visit them. Final Thought: Not Every Escape Needs a Boarding Pass Kerala's charm lies in its rhythm, rains that slow time, landscapes that heal, stories that unfold one cup of chai at a time. This road trip offers all that. Just closer. And quieter. You don't need new coordinates. You just need new eyes.
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Indian Express
School Holidays: UP schools shut amid Kanwar Yatra; Telangana observes Bonalu festival
School Holiday News: As religious fervour spreads across India this week, two major festivals have prompted official school holidays in different states. Schools in several districts of Uttar Pradesh have been ordered shut from July 16 to 23 during the Kanwar Yatra. Following an official notification from the Telangana government, schools across Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and several surrounding districts will observe a general holiday on Monday, July 21, to mark the celebration of Bonalu 2025. In western UP, districts including Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Bareilly, Badaun, Varanasi, and others have ordered the closure of all government and private schools, colleges, and even Anganwadi centres from July 16 to 23 to ensure safety and manage traffic disruptions during the Kanwar Yatra. The month-long pilgrimage sees lakhs of Kanwariyas, or Shiva devotees, walking with sacred Ganga water, especially peaking around Shivratri on July 23, causing congestion and potential hazards on schools' regular routes. Due to the heavy footfall and potential law-and-order concerns during the Kanwar Yatra, Meerut District Magistrate Dr VK Singh has ordered the closure of all recognised schools, including government, private, UP Board, CBSE, and ICSE institutions. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to avoid any disruptions or untoward incidents during the religious procession. Schools will resume normal operations from July 24. The DM has also issued a stern warning that strict action will be taken against any school found violating the closure directive. The District Magistrate of Muzaffarnagar has announced a holiday for all government and private schools in the district from July 16 to July 23. Acting on the DM's directive, District School Inspector (DIOS) Rajesh Kumar has issued orders to all educational institutions, including those under council, secondary, degree, and technical boards. The closure applies uniformly to schools affiliated with UP Board, CBSE, and ICSE. The administration has clearly stated that any violation of these instructions, by government or private institutions, will invite strict action. Bonalu is a regional festival dedicated to Goddess Mahakali. Celebrated in the month of June and July, this event features processions, folk performances, and offerings of Bonam – pots of rice, milk, sweets to local temples.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Kanaka Durga temple sees surge in devotees due to Ashada month
Vijayawada: The sacred Indrakeeladri Hill is witnessing an unprecedented influx of devotees as the number of pilgrims visiting Sri Kanaka Durga temple continues to surge, especially during the auspicious Ashada month. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On Sunday alone, temple officials recorded a footfall of over one lakh devotees, marking one of the highest turnouts in recent months. Kanaka Durga temple, regarded as the second most important temple in Andhra Pradesh after Tirumala, typically sees about 10,000 visitors on weekdays, rising to 30,000 on Sundays. However, since the beginning of 2025, there was a remarkable jump in pilgrim numbers, with crowds swelling to 60,000 during summer weekends and continuing to grow steadily ever since. During the Ashada month, the rush peaks on Sundays as devotees come to offer Ashada Saare to the Goddess. Temple staff have been working round the clock to manage the large crowds and maintain order. Despite their efforts, the rush impacted even special darshan services. "We wanted VVIP Darshan, but due to the massive crowd, it was cancelled. We waited in the queue for nearly three hours," shared K Rohini, a devotee from Guntur. Temple EO VK Seena Nayak said that steps are being taken to ensure a comfortable and smooth darshan for all devotees. "We are distributing milk, biscuits, and mineral water to those standing in queues," he said. Yuva, another official, emphasized the need for long-term solutions. "If permanent queue lines and annadanam counters are included in the temple's master plan, we can better manage crowds even if the numbers continue to grow." With Ashada Sundays drawing near-record crowds, temple authorities are on high alert, working to maintain spiritual serenity amid the swelling tide of devotion.
