Bonalu Pictures | Pictures showing the 4 week festival of Bonalu

Image Source: IANS

Hyderabad: 'Bonalu' celebrations underway, in Hyderabad on Aug 9, 21018.

In the month of July or August every year, it is time for one of the most auspicious festivals that keeps Telangana on their toes. This festival is called the Bonalu - A day to thank and praise the Goddess Mahankali.

There are a lot of rituals and stories behind the emergence of this festival. It holds a significant value of the existence of the present Mahankali temples that have been developed in the cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad,

Below, you can take a look at the manner in which their colourful, energy filled procession to the temples takes place.

Bonalu - A yearly festival of Telangana

Source: IANS

Bonalu festival in Telangana

Bonalu is one of the major festivals celebrated every year in Telangana

Bonalu rituals in full force!

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Bonalu procession

Bonalu takes place on 4 sundays in the month of July or August every year.

First Bonalu Sunday at Golconda Fort

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golconda fort for bonalu festival

People flock on first sunday at Golconda fort for Bonalu to visit the temple in Hyderabad

Goddess Mahanakali in all her glory

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Goddess Mahankali in Hyderabad

People worship Goddess Mahanakali for the festival of Bonalu , as she is said to drive diseases away and give a peaceful life.

Potharaju all dressed in his attire

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Potharaju for Bonalu

A mythological character Potharaju, is the one who leads the ladies to the processions. You can read the Bonalu rituals to understand this tradition.

Dance to please the spiritual powers

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dance and drum for Bonalu celebrations

It is customary that women dance to the songs and drum beats to pray and please Goddess Yellamma or Goddess Mahankali

Drums build the josh of Bonalu festivities

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bonalu dance and drum events

Loud chants, prayers and energetic dances form part of the Bonalu procession in the month of July / August every year. People thank the Devi for listening to their grief, curing their diseases years back.

Goddess Mahankali dressed in all her power

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Bonalu is dedicated to Goddess Mahankali

iF rituals are done properly for Goddess Mahanakali, she is said to bless the family with good health, prosperity and happiness.

Men dressed to play dances in Bonalu festival

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Bonalu festival religious acts

Role plays, and dances are part of the ritual, as the procession takes place. Men dress like Potharaju to enact the role of Godess Mahankali's brother.

Another group of men in their religious acts

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Bonalu's Potharaju attire

Men smear turmeric on their bodies and kumkum on their foreheads and perform a couple of lashings as they proceed to the temple.

Acrobatic performances are the real stunners

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Telangana Bonalu festival

Drums form an important part of the Telangana Bonalu festival. While women carry pots on their heads and dance, men engage in such acrobatic acts.

Elephant remain the highlight since history!

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Elephants for the Bonalu celebration

Elephants are decked up to please the Goddess and the religious pot is carried on its back before immersing into the water

A view of the Secunderabad festival on the second day of Bonalu

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Secunderabad temple on Bonalu

People flock together to pray and do rituals on the second day or the Lakshar Bonalu , and this is held in Secunderabad.

That is one religious devotee !

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Men dress on Bonalu festival

Men who dress in Potharaju character form, are said to have the power and authority to lead women who are tranced to the temple.

As the spell of Mahankali falls upon her

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Women carrying pots of food on Bonalu

It is beleived that women carry food pots or Bonam, will soon invoke the spirit of Mahankali during the procession.

A women in Mahanakali trance

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Tranced by Bonalu Mahankali

Women who get tranced are said to have the power to speak about the future. People ask them about theri respective lives. This happens on the fourth day.

A woman doing the religious sway

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women dance on Bonalu

Women dress in new sarees, wear ornaments, and dance according to the drum beats put by men. Thsi porcession will continue until they reach the temple.

Drum men are geared up for the event

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Drums are a must at Bonalu

Drum beats form a crucial part of the Bonalu rituals

Dances are moving in full swing!

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Dances and traditional music for the Telangana festival

Dance performances form a part of the religious festival as they are looked upon as rituals that please Goddess Mahankali

More women in their tranced form

Source: IANS

Bonalu trance

It is said that women who are tranced will be filled with the fury and power of the Goddess , so during the procession, their feet are cooled off to cool the spirit.