In neighbouring India’s Andhra Pradesh state, a traditional festive ritual turned into a bloody confrontation late on Wednesday night, leaving one devotee dead and between 60 and over 100 others injured during the annual Banni festival at Devaragattu hillock in Kurnool district.
The deceased was identified as Pothu Raju, aged between 28 and 32, a resident of Indira Nagar locality in Alur, who collapsed after sustaining severe stick blows while competing to take possession of temple idols, reports The Times of India.
At least 10 of the injured remain in critical condition, with victims suffering severe head trauma, deep lacerations, and heavy bleeding.
Emergency medical camps were established at the venue for immediate care, while the seriously wounded were conveyed to government hospitals in Alur, Adoni, and Kurnool.
Midnight mayhem on Devaragattu Hill
The post-Dussehra event, held on Vijayadashami at Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy Temple in Holagunda mandal, features a traditional stick fight locally named Karrala Samaram.
According to local legend, the clash represents the triumph of Lord Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy and Goddess Parvathi over the demons Mani and Mallasura, with participating villagers believing that capturing the idols brings prosperity to their respective communities.
Devotees numbering in the thousands travelled from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra to gather at the 800-foot-high hillock.
Ahead of the gathering, Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil urged participants to observe the ritual peacefully and cautioned against using the occasion to settle personal or village rivalries., reports NDTV.
To maintain order, police deployed approximately 1,000 personnel, five checkposts, 10 pickets, 110 night-vision CCTV cameras, and 10 drones.
Authorities also initiated preventive proceedings against 190 individuals, conducted 40 cordon-and-search operations, confiscated nearly 300 bamboo sticks (karralu), seized 50 litres of illicit liquor, and destroyed 300 litres of jaggery wash.
The celebrations unfolded chronologically starting after midnight on Wednesday with the ceremonial wedding of Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy, solemnised by Vedic priest Ravi Sharma.
Following the ritual, the festival idols were carried in a palanquin from the hilltop down to Simhasana Katta at the foothills. After special prayers and a Maha Mangala Harathi, the victory procession known as Banni Jaitrayatra was officially launched.
Smearing themselves with turmeric powder, carrying flaming torches, and chanting traditional slogans, thousands gathered under the night sky.
The participants divided into traditional village factions, pitting residents of Neraniki, Neraniki Thanda, and Kothapeta against opposing groups from Arikera, Suluvai, Ellarthi, and neighbouring villages.
Devotees then engaged in a fierce battle using long bamboo poles, stones, and flaming torches to capture the idols, with the violent confrontation continuing for more than half an hour from midnight until dawn.
Despite extensive police deployments and public awareness campaigns, the resulting bloodshed has renewed serious safety concerns surrounding the centuries-old tradition.
Local administrative authorities and police have launched an investigation into the violent escalation, warning that perpetrators will face strict legal action while medical personnel continue to monitor critical hospital patients.
