Revanth Reddy Offers Prayers at Ujjaini Mahankali Temple as Bonalu Begins

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy offered prayers at the historic Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad on Sunday, marking the beginning of the Bonalu festival. The annual Hindu festival, dedicated to Goddess Mahankali, drew political leaders from across party lines to the temple premises.

Reddy's visit came amid tight security arrangements as thousands of devotees thronged the temple since early morning. The chief minister's presence, however, added to the congestion that had already left many pilgrims frustrated.

Devotees Face Long Waits, VIP Movement Sparks Anger

Reports from the temple area suggest that devotees had to wait for hours to get a glimpse of the goddess. The movement of VIPs, including the chief minister, further slowed the queues, leading to visible discontent among the crowds.

Several devotees complained that the special arrangements for dignitaries disrupted the flow of regular pilgrims. "We have been standing here since 5 am, but the VIP darshan kept delaying our turn," said a woman waiting in line. Temple authorities, however, maintained that they were doing their best to manage the rush.

Political Sparring Over Festival Funds

The festive occasion also saw political friction. Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Bandi Sanjay criticised the Telangana government for allocating lesser funds for the Bonalu festival this year. Speaking to reporters, he alleged that the state's budget for the festival did not match the scale of the celebrations.

"The previous government used to provide adequate funds for Bonalu, but the current administration has reduced the allocation," Sanjay said. His remarks drew sharp responses from ruling party leaders, who accused him of politicising a religious event.

AI Technology Deployed, 13 Suspects Nabbed

Amid the chaos, Hyderabad Police introduced artificial intelligence-based surveillance to manage the massive gathering. The tech-driven approach helped authorities identify and arrest 13 suspects, according to a statement from the police department.

The AI system, equipped with facial recognition and crowd monitoring tools, was deployed at key entry points and vantage points around the temple. Police officials said the arrests were made for various offences, though they did not elaborate on the specific charges.

Festival Brings Leaders Together, Yet Divisions Remain

Despite the political bickering, the festival showcased a rare sight of unity, with leaders from different parties participating in the rituals. Congress, BJP, and Bharat Rashtra Samithi representatives were seen offering prayers at the temple, underscoring the cultural significance of Bonalu.

However, the underlying tensions over funding and crowd management continue to simmer. Devotees, meanwhile, are hoping that the remaining days of the festival see smoother arrangements.

As Bonalu continues over the next few weeks, authorities will need to balance security, VIP movement, and the spiritual needs of lakhs of devotees. The focus now shifts to the police's handling of the crowds on the festival's busiest days, especially during the procession of the goddess.