"bonams"

Hyderabad’s two-day annual Bonalu festival began in the Old City on Sunday with grand celebrations at major Mahankali temples. Thousands of devotees offered traditional bonams amid tight security. Festivities will conclude Monday with Ghatam processions through Charminar and Shahalibanda

The oracle, Mathangi Swarnalatha, stood on top of the earthen pot to evoke Goddess Mahankali.

Special prayers by Shiva Shaktis, prediction by Oracles, processions and dance by Potha Rajus were witnessed in city temples as part of Bonalu

The event began with the singing of slokas, invoking Kali Ma and asking for her blessings.

The devotees wearing traditional dresses and holding 'Trishulas', a weapon carried by Lord Lingamanthula Swamy, stood as a special attraction at the jatara.

The street of Baddipochamma temple, an associate temple of Vemulawada Rajarajeshwara Swamy temple, was jam-packed with scores of devotees thronging the shrine