It is widely known that at Lal Darwaza Mahankali temple Bonalu festival will be celebrated on a grand scale amid high spirits among the devotees and organizers.

Not many are aware that Mahankali in this temple was decorated with natural pearls more than a century ago, and there is a belief that the temple encouraged several jewelers to establish their shops nearby Charminar.

Post the 1908 Musi Floods, The temple's significance grew when Bonam was offered for the first time at the temple so that water receded and there would not be more loss of lives. History says that when the historical flood hit the city, the then Prime Minister of Hyderabad, Raja Kishan Prasad, suggested that Bonam be offered to the Goddess. Later, Nizam directed everyone to carry out rituals as per the Hindu tradition, where pearls in a silver chata were offered along with other items and later immersed in the Musi river. This was how the water levels receded. The businessmen who came to know about it later started a business around the Charminar area," revealed G. Mahesh Goud, chief advisor of Lal Darwaza Simhavahini Sri Mahankali Temple Committee member.

The 'City of Pearls' came into existence back then, and the incident said the septuagenarian, who had been serving the temple for years. He also added that this is the only historical reason behind this name for the city, which is not usually possible as it is away from the sea.

According to a managing committee member, The Mahankali Temple is amongst the few temples which used to have animal sacrifices involving bovines, the blood of which was applied all over the body by devotees. But this tradition was stopped after 1955 following the intervention of reformers. The sacrifice of animals was replaced by the offering of pumpkins, concluded the person.