Hyderabad, August 5: Commuters across Hyderabad will have to brace for massive traffic snarls for two days after a joyous atmosphere of Bonulu festivities enveloped the state on Sunday. The 'Bonalu' festival, reflecting Telangana's rich culture and tradition will be celebrated across the southern state with gaiety on August 5 and August 6. Commuters may have to face a difficult time travelling from one place to another as the city police have implemented massive traffic restrictions on Sunday and Monday.

It must be noted that this is the fifth year that Bonalu is being celebrated as a state festival for which the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government released Rs 15 crore. Devotees thronged the temples since Sunday morning to offer prayers to the Hindu goddess of power -- Mahankali or Kali. The two-day festivities will conclude on Monday with 'Rangam', the oracle prediction at Akkanna Madanna temple, followed by a combined procession on a caparisoned elephant, carrying the 'ghatam' of the goddess.

To ensure regulation of traffic in connection with the Bonalu festival celebrations on August 5 and August 6 at Mahankali Temple in Amberpet, the traffic police said that on the first day, “All district buses coming from Uppal towards Amberpet will be diverted at Uppal X road via Habsiguda - Tarnaka – Adikmet – Vidya Nagar – Fever Hospital – A Y Mandali – Tourist Hotel Junction – Nimboliadda – Chaderghat and CBS.”

Take a look at traffic restrictions/diversions:

According to a Facebook post by the Hyderabad City Police, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad issued directions/ diversions to avoid any confusion. The post states, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under section 21(1) (b) of the Hyderabad City Police Act, I, Anjani Kumar, IPS., Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, do hereby notify, for information of the general public, that, in order to facilitate proper regulation of traffic in connection with the Kattamaisamma, Lower Tankbund, Hyderabad Bonalu Festival from 05-08-2018 to 06-08-2018.

The following traffic restrictions/diversions will be made:

Traffic will either be stopped or diverted at the following places/routes:

  1. The Commuters intending to proceed to RTC X roads - Indira Park - Katta Maisamma Temple and Dr. Ambedkar Statue will be diverted at RTC X Roads towards Chikkadpally Narayanguda Y Junction – Liberty – Dr.Ambedkar Statue.

  2. The Commuters intending to proceed to RTC X roads - Indira Park - Katta Maisamma Temple and Kavadiguda will be diverted at RTC X Roads towards Musheerabad and Kavadiguda.

  3. The Commuters intending to proceed to Iqbal Minar – Telugu Talli Flyover – Kattamaisamma – RTC X Roads will be diverted at Iqbal Minar towards Telugu Talli – Dr.Ambedkar Statue – Liberty – Narayanguda Y Junction – Chikkadpally and RTC X Roads.

  4. The Commuters intending to proceed to Iqbal Minar – Telugu Talli Flyover – Kattamaisamma – Lower Tankbund – DBR Mills - Kavadiguda will be diverted at Iqbal Minar towards Telugu Talli – Upper Tankbund.

The Commissioner of Police further said that all citizens are requested to take alternate routes to their destinations and to avoid the above routes during the specified timings and co-operate with the Traffic Police during the period of traffic diversion as above.

For the unversed, Bonalu is celebrated in parts of Hyderabad and its twin city Secunderabad during Ashada Masam (July-August). The festival, also known as Ashada Jatra Utsavalu, is celebrated on three different Sundays in different places in the twin cities. Last Sunday, it was celebrated in Secunderabad. It is commonly believed that the festival was first celebrated over 150 years ago following a major cholera outbreak. People believed that the epidemic was due to the anger of the Mahankali and began offering 'Bonalu' to placate her. May the occasion of Bonalu, bring the wealth of knowledge to and all your wishes come true!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2018 05:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).