India, July 11 -- C.V. Anand, Director General and Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad City, took part in the Lal Darwaza Bonalu festival today, participating in the traditional Shikara Puja and Dhwajarohanam (flag hoisting) ceremonies. He said it is customary for the temple committee to invite the Hyderabad City Kotwal for these annual rituals.
The Lal Darwaza Simhavahini Sri Mahankali Temple holds historical importance. In 1908, severe floods and a plague epidemic claimed nearly 50,000 lives in the area. On the advice of Prime Minister Kishen Pershad, then Nizam Mir Mahbub Ali Khan arranged special prayers to the Goddess, after which the Musi floods subsided and the epidemic receded. Since then, Bonalu has been celebrated in the Ashadha...