In Photos: A Peek into Hyderabad’s Vibrant Bonalu Festival

An Indian artist performs a fire act during a procession as part of Bonalu festivities in Hyderabad on 29 July 2019.

(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

Bonalu is a month-long Hindu folk festival of the Telangana region dedicated to Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction.

In the Bonalu festival, Goddess Mahakali is worshipped and it is considered a thanksgiving to the Goddess for the fulfilment for their vows. An annual festival of Telangana, it is celebrated in Twin Cities Hyderabad, Secunderabad and other parts of the state.

Elaborate and vibrant processions are carried out on the local streets in the month of July/August.

An idol of Hindu goddess Kali carried on elephant during a procession of Bonalu festival in Hyderabad.(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

An Indian artist performs during the procession.(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

An Indian artist waits to perform during the procession of Bonalu festival in Hyderabad.(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

An Indian artist performs during a procession of Bonalu festival in Hyderabad.(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

Hindu devotees perform a ritual offering to the Hindu goddess Kali during the Bonalu festival in Hyderabad.(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

Indian artist gets make up applied before a performance during the procession.(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

An Indian artist takes a selfie while waiting to perform during a procession of Bonalu festival in Hyderabad on 29 July.(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

An Indian artist waits to perform during a procession of Bonalu festival in Hyderabad.(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

Indian artists dressed as tigers perform during a procession marking Bonalu festival in Hyderabad.(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

An Indian artist dressed as Hindu goddess Mahakali blesses a child during a procession marking Bonalu festival.(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

An Indian artist waits to perform during the same procession.(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)

An Indian artist rides a two-wheeler while waiting to perform during the same procession.(Photo: AP/Mahesh Kumar A)