Bonalu celebrations begin at Golconda Fort with vibrant processions, rituals and heavy footfall

The annual Bonalu festivities began at the Golconda Fort on Sunday, with thousands of devotees thronging the Sri Jagadambika Temple to offer bonam amid elaborate rituals, colourful processions and heightened security arrangements. The celebrations at Golconda mark the beginning of the month-long Bonalu festivities across Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

On Sunday morning, the imposing entrance of the historic fort was transformed into a sea of devotees. Thousands streamed through the gates, many leaving their footwear outside before walking barefoot up the hill to the temple. The partly cloudy skies offered some respite from the summer heat during the first half of the day, making the climb more comfortable for devotees.