Hindus make animal sacrifice during Bonalu festival for goddess in temple at Golconda fort in Hyderabad,India on July 7,2014.

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Bonalu is a Hindu annual festival to worship Goddess Mahakali as a thanksgiving to the Goddess for fulfillment of vows. Bonam means Bojanam or a Meal in Telugu, is an Offering to Mother Goddess. Women prepare rice cooked with Milk,Jaggery in a New Brass or Earthen Pot adorned with Neem Leaves, Turmeric,Vermilion and a Lighted Diya on the top of the Pot. Women carry the pots on their heads and make offering of Bonam along with Turmeric-Vermilion,Bangles and Saree to the Mother Goddess across the Temples. Bonalu is the worship of Kali and her various forms. Goddess is worshiped as Mysamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Pedamma, Dokkalamma, Ankalamma, Poleramma, Maremma, Nookalamma. To ward off evil spirits, in olden days, people used to sacrifice a male buffalo in front of the temple, but now,sheep and roosters are sometimes sacrificed.

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Size: 3456px × 2304px
Location: Golconda fort,Hyderabad,India
Photo credit: © R RAMANA REDDY BATTULA / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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