Hyderabad, July 16 -- The Ashada Bonalu festival at Golconda Fort Jagadambika Ammavari Temple began with the offering of the first Bonam on Thursday, July 16.

Telangana Forest, Environment and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha and Hyderabad in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar participated in the inaugural celebrations and offered silk sarees to the presiding deity.

The ministers were welcomed by temple priests with Vedic chants and a Purnakumbha ceremony at the festival venue in Langer Houz Charstha, Hyderabad. They later offered the first Bonam to Jagadambika Ammavaru amid traditional drum beats, Poturaju performances, Shiva Sattulu dances and cultural programmes. The ministers also received the blessings of the deity.

Responding to a...