A "potharaju" dances to the drumbeats during the 'phalaharam bandi’ processions. Photo: Nagara Gopal
Devotees carry 'bonam,' a pot filled with cooked rice and decorated with neem leaves. More than a lakh devotees thronged Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple to celebrate Bonalu. Photo: Nagara Gopal
A woman dances in trance during the Bonalu 'ghatam.' Photo: Balachander Goud
A priest carries a decorated ‘ghatam' during a procession in the streets near the Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple. Photo: Nagara Gopal
Devotees dance during a procession in the streets. Photo: Nagara Gopal
A temple elephant carries a photo of Goddess Mahakali at the Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple after the 'Rangam'. Photo: Nagara Gopal
Streets decorated for Bonalu festivities. Photo: G. Ramakrishna
Secunderabad MLA Jayasudha, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, and Minister for Major Industries J. Geeta Reddy participate in Bonalu. Photos: The Hindu
People seek blessings from the temple elephant. Photo: Nagara Gopal
Swarnalatha blesses a devotee at the 'Rangam'. Swarnalatha, who undertook a vow of chastity and devoted her life to Goddess Mahakali, answers questions while in a state of trance. Photo: Nagara Gopal
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy having darshan of the goddess at Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple during the celebration of Bonalu, in Secunderabad. Photo: Nagara Gopal
More than a lakh devotees thronged the temple to celebrate Bonalu, with fervour and gaiety. Photo: Nagara Gopal
The historic Sri Ujjaini Mahakali temple in Secunderabad is illuminated on the eve of two-day Mahakali Jatara in Secunderabad. Photo: Nagara Gopal
'Pota Raju' during the Bonalu 'ghatam' of the Mahakali temple. Photo: Balachander Goud R. K
A view of Bonalu 'ghatam' of the Mahakali temple, Lal Darwaza, during a procession by the devotees in the Old City in Hyderabad. Photo: Balachander Goud R. K