Coronavirus pandemic in the State has impacted even the traditional Bonalu festival this year. The government has decided to keep the celebrations a low-key affair to avoid large gatherings or processions. It culminates with parading of the presiding deity of Mahankali temple on an elephant through the streets of Old City ending near the Musi at Naya Pul. We don’t want the centuries-old tradition to be broken,” said G. Niranjan of Akkanna Madanna Mahankali temple. The Ujjaini Mahankali temple was built by a benefactor as a tribute for saving the city from a cholera epidemic in 1813.

Source: The Hindu June 10, 2020 18:01 UTC