Telangana govt giving financial aid to temples for renovation during Bonalu fest

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 12 (ANI): On the occasion of Bonalu festival, the Telangana government provides financial support of about Rs 25,000 each to small temples in Hyderabad and Secunderabad for painting, colours and renovation works every year.
The traditional Hindu festival of Telangana, Bonalu is centred on the Goddess Mahakali. It is celebrated annually in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as well as in other parts of the state.
The festival is celebrated in Ashada Masam, which falls around July or August months according to the English calendar. The devotees perform special "poojas" for Yellamma (one of the many regional forms of Mahakali) on the first and last day of the festival. They consider the festival as a thanksgiving to the goddess for the fulfilment of their desires.
In a conversation with ANI, Kaatamaisamma temple priest K. Kashiah said that the government of Telangana Rashtra Samithi(TRS) under Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has taken this noble initiative since 2014. During previous governments, the temple authorities used money from their own pockets to renovate the temple."
"Since the time of my forefathers, for almost 70 years, we have been performing pooja at the Kaatamaisamma temple located at Dabeerpura. After the TRS government came to power, government is providing Rs 25,000 as financial support for temple renovation works like painting, colours, tents, lighting. We are happy with the government that they are providing support to such small temples," he said.
Another temple priest said, "We are getting the aid since the Telangana state was formed. The state government is providing the financial support for the renovation and development of small temples every year on Bonalu festival. Earlier, we never got any money from the government. KCR Government is doing good work for temples every year by releasing funds." (ANI)