CM Revanth Reddy joins Lashkar Bonalu feast at Ponnam's residence
Synopsis
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy joined Minister Ponnam Prabhakar's Lashkar Bonalu feast on 2 August 2026, alongside Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar and several ministers, marking the Secunderabad Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Ammavari Bonalu celebrations.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy attended the Lashkar Bonalu feast hosted by Minister Ponnam Prabhakar at his official residence on 2 August 2026 .
Legislative Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar and multiple ministers and elected representatives were also present.
The occasion was the Secunderabad Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Ammavari Bonalu , known as Lashkar Bonalu .
The Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad is the anchor of the Lashkar Bonalu celebrations, one of Telangana's most significant folk festivals.
Revanth Reddy has led the Congress government in Telangana since December 2023 .
The ancient rhythms of Bonalu echoed through the corridors of power on Sunday, 2 August 2026, as Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy joined a festive feast hosted by Minister Ponnam Prabhakar at his official residence — marking the occasion of the Secunderabad Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Ammavari Bonalu, popularly known as Lashkar Bonalu.
The Chief Minister's Office confirmed that Legislative Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, along with several ministers and elected representatives, also attended the celebration, making it a gathering of the state's top constitutional and political leadership under one roof for the festival.
Lashkar Bonalu: Secunderabad's signature celebration
Bonalu is one of Telangana's most deeply rooted folk festivals, dedicated to Goddess Mahankali. The Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad — the twin city of Hyderabad — is the anchor of the Lashkar Bonalu celebrations, drawing tens of thousands of devotees each year. The festival sees women carry decorated earthen pots filled with cooked rice, jaggery, and curd as offerings to the goddess, accompanied by processions, drums, and communal feasts.
The Secunderabad edition carries particular cultural weight: 'Lashkar' derives from the historical cantonment character of the city, and the temple's celebration is considered among the grandest in the twin cities.
A tradition of leaders at the festival table
State leaders attending Bonalu feasts is a well-established practice in Telangana's political culture. For officials in Hyderabad-Secunderabad, participation in the festival is both a cultural affirmation and a moment of public engagement with the region's majority traditions. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who has led the Congress government in Telangana since December 2023, has made visible participation in the state's major festivals a consistent feature of his tenure.
The presence of Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar alongside cabinet colleagues at Minister Ponnam Prabhakar's residence underlines the collective character of the occasion — this was not a solo appearance but a gathering of the state's legislative and executive leadership in a shared cultural moment.
As the Bonalu season moves forward, the same constellation of leaders is expected to participate in Bathukamma, Telangana's other signature festival later in the year — a calendar that has become a reliable rhythm of the state government's public presence.
Point of View
And this Bonalu gathering — spanning the CM, Speaker, and cabinet — signals a deliberate, collective approach rather than tokenism. For Revanth Reddy, whose government is still consolidating its base in the twin cities, being seen at the table during Lashkar Bonalu carries weight with Secunderabad's large devotee community. The pattern mirrors how regional governments across India use festival visibility to reinforce cultural legitimacy, particularly in states where identity and tradition are politically salient. The next test of this approach will come with Bathukamma, Telangana's other signature celebration.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lashkar Bonalu and why is it celebrated in Secunderabad?
Lashkar Bonalu is the Bonalu festival celebrated at the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad, one of the grandest editions of this annual Telangana folk festival dedicated to Goddess Mahankali. The name 'Lashkar' reflects Secunderabad's historical identity as a cantonment city.
Did CM Revanth Reddy attend Bonalu 2026?
Yes, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy attended the Lashkar Bonalu feast hosted by Minister Ponnam Prabhakar at his official residence on 2 August 2026, along with Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar and other ministers.
Who hosted the Bonalu feast attended by CM Revanth Reddy?
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar hosted the Bonalu feast at his official residence, on the occasion of the Secunderabad Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Ammavari Bonalu (Lashkar Bonalu).
Who is Gaddam Prasad Kumar?
Gaddam Prasad Kumar is the Speaker of the Telangana Legislative Assembly. He attended the Lashkar Bonalu feast alongside CM Revanth Reddy on 2 August 2026.
What is the significance of Bonalu festival in Telangana?
Bonalu is one of Telangana's most important folk festivals, dedicated to Goddess Mahankali. Devotees, primarily women, offer decorated pots of cooked food to the goddess in grand processions. The Secunderabad and Hyderabad editions draw hundreds of thousands of participants each year.
