Hyderabad Police to deploy 2,500 personnel for Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu
Hyderabad, July 25 (TNT): Hyderabad Police will deploy 2,500 personnel and use AI-enabled CCTV cameras to ensure foolproof security during the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu (Lashkar Bonalu) Festival-2026 in Secunderabad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Secunderabad Zone) Rakshitha Krishna Murthy said on Saturday.
The Shri Ujjaini Mahakali Devasthanam is a historic 200-year-old Hindu temple located in General Bazaar, Secunderabad. Built in 1815 by Suriti Appaiah, it is dedicated to Goddess Mahakali and is widely famous for hosting the vibrant annual Bonalu (Ashada Jathara) festival
Addressing coordination meetings with Shivashaktulu and Joginis, members of the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple Committee, and representatives of the print and electronic media, the DCP said elaborate security and crowd management arrangements had been made in coordination with various departments to ensure a safe and hassle-free darshan for devotees.
The meetings were attended by Additional DCP J. Narsaiah, ACP Ch. Sridhar, Mahankali Inspector S. Ravi Kumar, Detective Inspector K. Ranga Reddy, around 30 Shivashaktulu and Joginis, 50 temple committee members and 50 media representatives.
Police said separate queue lines have been arranged for Joginis from Bata Road, while two dedicated coordination teams will assist Joginis and Shivashaktulu. Two exclusive queue lines have also been earmarked for women carrying Bonalu from Bata Road and Rocha Bazar, besides two general queue lines for devotees and separate queues for pass holders.
Special security arrangements have also been made for the Rangam programme. Ten plainclothes crime teams will be deployed from July 31 to maintain vigil, while persons found behaving suspiciously will be identified and, if necessary, taken into custody. Police said darshan for the general public would not be disrupted during VIP visits.
The temple premises and surrounding areas will remain under continuous CCTV surveillance throughout the festival.
The festival schedule includes the main Bonalu celebrations on August 2, followed by the Rangam and procession on August 3.
TNT TS
