A city in celebration as Hyderabad marks Bonalu

Devotees to offer prayers to goddess Mahakali during Bonalu festival at Sabzi Mandi of Old City in Hyderabad on Sundayy. | Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G. The drums began early, the bonams arrived in a bright procession and the streets around Lal Darwaza slowly turned into a moving canvas of turmeric, vermilion, neem leaves and flowers. By evening, the Ashada Bonalu celebrations had given Hyderabad’s Old City its familiar festive pulse, even as large parts of the city appeared unusually quiet.Several shops across Hyderabad remained shut on Sunday, while the usually busy roads saw thinner traffic on the weekend. However, the quiet streets were punctuated by the sound of drums, devotional songs and the steady movement of devotees towards temples. TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, BC Welfare Min