Today, Sri C.V. Anand IPS DG & Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad city participated in the Lal Darwaza Bonalu festival, including the Shikara Puja and Dhwajarohanam (flag hoisting) ceremonies. He stated that it is customary for the temple committee to invite the Hyderabad City Kotwal for these annual events.
The Lal Darwaza Simhavahini Sri Mahankali Temple is a historically significant temple. In 1908, severe floods caused by heavy rains and a widespread plague epidemic in the areas surrounding this temple led to the death of approximately 50,000 people. At that time, Hyderabad's population was 4 lakh (400,000). Upon the advice of Prime Minister Kishen Pershad, the then Nizam, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, arranged special prayers for the Goddess. Following these prayers, the Musi River floods subsided, and the epidemic receded. Since then, it has been a tradition to celebrate Bonalu during the Ashadha month. The Commissioner noted that the Bonalu festivities have been observed here for about 120 years, continuing the same tradition. Across Telangana, people celebrate the Bonalu festival with great devotion for a month.
The temple committee is organizing these festivities in coordination with all stakeholders. Commissioner Sri C.V. Anand stated that the Police Department, on behalf of the government, has made all necessary security arrangements to prevent any untoward incidents. He recalled that the Golconda Bonalu and Balkampet Bonalu were conducted peacefully. He explained that proactive measures have been undertaken in coordination with all departments, and the Hyderabad South Zone Police have made special arrangements, including bringing in additional police personnel from outside.
Coordination meetings were held with various departments, including Water Works, Electricity, R&B, and the Municipal Corporation, for the Lal Darwaza Bonalu. Honorable Ministers Sri Ponnam Prabhakar Garu and Endowment Minister Smt. Konda Surekha Garu also participated in these meetings. The ministers issued orders to officials from all departments to ensure that all arrangements are made without any shortcomings.
The Commissioner urged temple committee members and devotees to cooperate with the Police Department. He assured that the Hyderabad Police would make every effort to ensure devotees face no inconvenience. He also stated that special surveillance has been set up with Crime Branch police and She Team units to prevent pickpocketing, chain snatching, and eve-teasing during the Bonalu celebrations.
The event was attended by Shri R.V. Karnan IAS (Commissioner, GHMC), Smt. K. Apoorva Rao IPS (DCP Special Branch), Smt. Sneha Mehra IPS (DCP South Zone), and Sri R. Venkateswarlu IPS (DCP Traffic), along with other officials, Temple Committee Chairman Sri B. Maruthi Yadav, and committee members.
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