Colours of Bonalu leave a spectacle for Hyderabadis

Led by ‘potharajus’ dancing to the rhythmic drumbeats, women place the vessel on their heads and offer ‘bonam’ to the goddess Mahankali.

The annual Bonalu festival, celebrated in honour of Goddess Mahankali, has officially begun from Jagadamba Mahankali Temple in Hyderabad with pomp and gaiety last Sunday. (Photo | R Satish Babu/EPS) 

The festival is celebrated mainly during the month of Ashada (July-August) every year. (Photo | R Satish Babu/EPS)

Led by ‘potharajus’ dancing to the rhythmic drumbeats, women place the vessel on their heads and offer ‘bonam’ to the goddess Mahankali. (Photo | P Ravindra Babu/EPS)

It is believed that the Goddess comes back to her maternal home during Ashada Masam, so people come to see her and bring offerings of food to show their love, just as they would prepare a special meal when their own daughters visit them. (Photo | R Satish Babu/EPS)

Bonam means a meal offered to the Goddess and women prepare rice cooked together with milk and jaggery in a new earthen pot adorned with neem leaves, turmeric, vermillion and a lighted diya on top. (Photo | R Satish Babu/EPS)

Bonalu festivities start every year at Golconda and will reach the peaks with the celebrations at Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad on July 29 and 30 and Lal Darwaza temple a week thereafter. (Photo | P Ravindra Babu/EPS)

A devotee at the Bonalu festival in Vijayawada. (Photo | P Ravindra Babu/EPS)