Around 800 people attended the Bonalu Festival, organised by the Singapore Telugu Samajam at the Sri Arasakesari Sivan Temple on July 14.
The traditional Hindu festival, celebrated by people from Telangana in India, is considered a thanksgiving to Goddess Mahakali. It is usually held in July with special ceremonies for Yellamma, one of the many forms of Mahakali.
The event at the Sivan temple included devotional songs, drumming and folk dances.
Women carried sacred offerings on their heads that were adorned with neem leaves, turmeric, vermillion and white rangoli designs, before offering it to the goddess with great devotion.
There were also folk dances by women and children, followed by the distribution of prasadam.
The highlight of the festivities was the captivating performance by Oggu artist Nakka Naresh, who enchanted everyone with his traditional folklore singing (Oggu Katha), praising and narrating of stories of Hindu gods Mallana, Beerappa and Yellamma.
