It’s Official: Bathukamma & Bonalu Are Now Telangana State Festivals

Not too long ago, anti-Telangana agitators compared Bathukamma with pekaata (playing cards). Today, Bathukamma got state honor along with Bonaalu across Telangana’s 10 districts. During a review meeting on preparations for Bonaalu, Ramzan festivals at Secretariat here today, Chief Minister KCR has taken a decision to accord state honor to both Bathukamma and Bonaalu.

Addressing a press conference along with Information and Public Relations Commissioner Chandravadan at Secretarait here, Excise Minister Padma Rao said that the government has allotted adequate funds for the festivals. KCR may visit temples during the festivals, he said adding that elaborate arrangements are being made to conduct Bathukamma and Bonaalu in a grand manner. KCR has directed the officials to provide uninterrupted power supply to temples and mosques during the festivals. Besides, the government has taken steps to press into action a few medical teams to attend to the devotees as and when necessary and also to make enough drinking water available for those at the places of worship.