Bonalu is an eleven day traditional Hindu folk festival to honour the Hindu Goddess MahaKali. The festival originates in the Telangana region in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

MahaKali – who has many arms that wield weapons showing her power – is honoured mostly by women, who bring offerings of food and dancing. Men also participate in the festivities: male artists wear make-up and dresses to look like the Hindu God Hanuman and MahaKali herself. A couple of dwarf artists can also be seen in the pictures dressed as Potharaju, who is the brother of the Goddess.

The Goddess travels in the final procession in a goat-drawn chariot while all the participants and artists rally around her, putting on a brilliant display with color, fire and festivity. – Photos by agencies

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