Bonalu Festival

• The colorful Bonalu festival, reflecting Telangana’s deep cultural and spiritual traditions, began with great devotion and grandeur. 
• Bonalu is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Mahakali. 
• It is celebrated annually in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and other parts of Telangana. 
• The festival takes place during the Ashada Masam (July/August). 
• Special poojas are offered to Goddess Yellamma on the first and last days of the festival. 
• Bonalu is seen as an act of thanksgiving to the Goddess after vows are fulfilled. 
• The word ‘Bonam’ means meal in Telugu, which refers to the food offerings made to the Mother Goddess.

Idukki Dam

• The water level in the Idukki reservoir reached 2,356.06 feet on Thursday, following heavy rainfall in the region. The catchment areas recorded 120.4 mm of rain within a 24-hour period.  
• This arch dam, located in Kerala, India, is built on the Periyar River and stands 168.91 meters (554 ft) tall, making it the third highest in India after Tehri and Bhakra Nangal Dams. 
• It is the first double-curvature arch dam in Asia and the second of its kind in the world. 
• The dam is constructed between two mountains—Kuravanmala (839 m) and Kurathimala (925 m)—and ranks among the top ten highest arch dams globally. 

Idukki Dam 

Ashadhi Beej

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the Kutchi community worldwide on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Bij, marking the Kutchi New Year. 
• Ashadhi Beej, observed on the 2nd day of Shukla Paksha in Ashadha (June–July), marks the Kutchi New Year and the beginning of monsoon in Kutch, Gujarat. 
• People assess air moisture during the festival to predict crop success, as high moisture indicates a favorable farming season—important in the desert region of Kutch. 
• The festival is mainly celebrated at Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi, UP) and Mulesh Mahadev Temple (Umreth, Gujarat).