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BONALU is an important festival of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where the ladies offer Rice – Milk with Jaggery in a pot to mother Yellamma ( Mahakali) for four weeks in July every year. The devotees believe that while carrying the pots full of rice etc. on their head , the evil power ( The Demon ) may attack them. They need some protection and Potharaju who is thought to be the brother of Ma Yellamma protects  them from any evil power. Here one such Potharaju on the road of Hyderabad.

Among various Theyyam dances the Pottan Theyyam is a bright, lively and colourful ritualistic dance in the traditional art form of Theyyam. It is believed to be a manifestation of Shiva and is performed in Hindu tharavads. Pottan Theyyam symbolises resistance against social evils and represents goodness that can wipe out such evils in the community. During the performance, Pottan Theyyam rests upon the embers of a large fire and is approached by locals who seek his response and blessing after the performance and customs. The image shows such a moment in Pottan Theyyam where the performer is resting on fire.