BY SHASAHNK PASUPULETI
Secunderabad, June 24, 2025 — As the revered Ujjaini Mahakali Bonalu festival approaches, a crucial coordination meeting was held at the temple to finalize arrangements. The planning session, Minster Ponam Prabhakar, saw the participation of civic officials, police authorities, GHMC, and members of the Deccan Manav Seva Samithi (DMSS), who are playing a pivotal role in the overall execution of the festival.
Sanathnagar MLA and former minister Talsani Srinivas Yadav was formally welcomed. The District Collector and the Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) addressed the gathering, emphasizing efficient crowd handling and systematic distribution of entry passes. It was reaffirmed that the Shiva Shakthi group, which had a designated time last year, will be allocated a similar slot this year.
Kota Neelima, PCC Vice President and Sanathnagar Incharge, called for punctuality in early morning rituals and temple activities, as her visits may occur without prior notice. In response, Executive Officer Manohar raised concerns regarding staff shortages and requested urgent recruitment to ensure uninterrupted temple services.
DMSS, which has consistently served as a coordinating body for cultural and logistic efforts during Bonalu, presented an action plan covering volunteer deployment, public assistance desks, and coordination with health and sanitation teams. Their efforts were recognized by multiple departments for ensuring smooth on-ground management in previous years and being instrumental in bridging communication between devotees and officials.
Traffic management, particularly at Patny and Karbala Maidan, was discussed by the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic). He urged better signage and close coordination with traffic enforcement teams. Placement of welcome banners was reviewed to avoid road visibility issues.
Discussions also centered around the Anadanam (community meal distribution) and VIP entry, which will be managed via the Rochabazar exit near Bata. DCP Rasmi Premalu was appointed to oversee departmental coordination, including support from DMSS volunteers, who will assist in queue management and general crowd guidance.
GHMC was tasked with establishing organized shoe stands and crowd flow systems. Multiple prasadam counters will be set up across the premises. DMSS offered to assist in managing these counters with trained volunteers to help control long queues and maintain hygiene.
Zonal Commissioner Ravi Kiran directed teams to take up patchwork and sanitation work. The Roads and Buildings Department was instructed to clear encroachments along the Ambari procession route. DMSS also proposed deploying their field volunteers to help monitor crowd movements and relay ground-level issues in real time.
Power-related concerns were addressed by Chief Engineer Chakrapani and DE Anandi, who promised continuous power supply and resolved temple wiring issues. Medical aid will be provided in collaboration with hospitals such as KIMS and Yashoda, with DMSS offering manpower for emergency response support.
Amrendra Reddy, head of the Water Works Department, confirmed the supply of eight lakh litres of drinking water via nine tankers, and the provision of 50,000 bottled water units for the VIP zone. Water supply to nearby residential areas will remain uninterrupted. DMSS agreed to distribute water in key crowd zones through its mobile volunteer teams.
Commissioner Venkat Rao of the Endowments and Cultural Departments announced that the Mahakali Ghatothsavam would begin on June 29. He highlighted Bonalu’s 100-year-old legacy and advocated for preserving its cultural spirit.
Corporator Suchitra Srikanth called for inter-agency cooperation. Former Minister Talsani Srinivas Yadav appreciated the groundwork laid by DMSS and advised continuous coordination with temple authorities and civic teams.
Unfinished infrastructure work like street lighting from Victoria Gunj to Karbala Maidan and pending patch repairs were marked as urgent. July 11, a Friday, was identified by the Traffic Department as a high-density day, with plans for increased personnel deployment and DMSS volunteers aiding traffic and public safety officials.
Ponam Prabhakar underlined the significance of community involvement and instructed the Executive Officer to address outstanding issues like electrical repairs and grill maintenance. He commended DMSS for their selfless service over the years and emphasized that Lashkar Bonalu, BONALU celebrated at over 3,500 temples across Telangana, stands as a global symbol of the state’s cultural identity.
Media was advised to cover the festival with sensitivity, especially concerning ongoing reviews such as the Jogini matter, for which all departments have been alerted. DMSS media and awareness teams will support official communication efforts during the festivities.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment by all departments and DMSS to deliver a well-organized, secure, and culturally rich Ujjaini Mahakali Bonalu 2025.
DMSS members present at the coordination meeting included Konka Raghu Mohan, M. Hari Babu Yadav, Vasundar Raj, Vinod, Manoj, Seelam Anurag, and Shashank Pasupuleti.
