Reader stories
Bonalu for First-Timers: What Readers Wish They Had Known
Every year readers send us notes after their first Bonalu. We collected the advice that comes up most.
By Vikram Goud ยท 20 June 2025
Go early
Crowds build through the morning. Temples are calmer at dawn.
Dress for heat and crowds
Cotton, closed shoes and a water bottle.
Be respectful
Follow queues, ask before photographing, and give way to people carrying bonam pots. More background in our Bonalu guide.
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