Rahul Gandhi whips himself as he takes the role of Potharaju in Telangana ritual

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was seen ritually whipping himself as he donned the role of Potharaju at a religious procession in Telangana's Sangareddy district on Thursday,

He was participating in Bonalu, a traditional festival of Telangana. Gandhi is now leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Telangana after covering Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Potharaju, considered to be the brother of seven sister goddesses -- different forms of the goddess 'Mahankali' - is a character in the annual Bonalu processions.


Potharaju leads the procession of woman carrying the bonam and ritually whips himself to the sound of drum beats.

In a video tweeted by his team, Gandhi can be seen picking up the thick whip from a Potharaju leading a Bonalu procession and trying it on hilmself. The crowd around him break into a cheer.

The Congress MP was also seen been interacting with local people, dancing with local cultural artists or playing with children.

Former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Ramdas and his wife and social activist Lalita Ramdas were among the latest to joim the yatra.

On the ninth day of his march in Telangana, the yatra entered Sangareddy district. The foot march will continue in Telangana till November 7 with one-day break on November 4.

It will cover a total distance of 375 kms in 19 Assembly and seven Parliamentary constituencies in the state. From Telangana, the yatra will enter Maharashtra on November 7