Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh: One person was killed and more than 100 others were injured during a traditional stick fight held as part of Dussehra celebrations in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district late Wednesday night.
The incident took place during the annual Devaragattu Banni Utsav at Deveragattu village in Holagonda mandal. Two groups of villagers fought with sticks during the ritual, leaving several people seriously injured.
The injured were taken to hospitals in Adoni and Alur. Ten people were reported to be in critical condition, while those with minor injuries received treatment at a temporary hospital set up by the authorities.
The deceased was identified as Potaraju, 28, a resident of Alur.
Villagers Continue Ritual Despite Police Restrictions
The stick fight is held every year during Dussehra at the Mala Malleswara Swamy temple, located on a hillock in Deveragattu. Despite police efforts to stop the event, villagers went ahead with the ritual, which they consider an important part of their tradition.
According to local belief, the ceremony takes place after the midnight wedding of the deities Mallamma and Malleswara Swamy. People from surrounding villages split into two groups and use sticks to try to take control of the idols.
Villagers from Nerani, Nerani Tanda and Kothapeta take part on one side, while devotees from Arikera, Aluru, Suluvai, Ellarthi, Nidravatti and Bilehall form the opposing group. The clashes often leave participants with serious injuries.
Despite repeated attempts by authorities to discourage the practice, the event continues to draw large crowds. More than 1,000 police personnel were deployed this year in an effort to prevent violence, but the measures failed to stop the fight.
Thousands Gather to Watch the Annual Event
The ritual is linked to a local legend in which Lord Shiva takes the form of Bhairava and defeats two demons, Mani and Mallasura, using sticks. During the event, participants reenact the story, with one group representing the demons and the other representing the gods.
Members of the group representing the demons attempt to seize the idols from their rivals, leading to the stick fight. Devotees regard the ritual as an important religious tradition, and some consider the injuries sustained during the event a good omen.
Thousands of people from Kurnool and neighbouring districts, along with visitors from Telangana and Karnataka, travel to Deveragattu each year to watch the ceremony.
The latest incident has once again drawn attention to the risks associated with the annual event, which continues despite police restrictions and repeated efforts to prevent injuries.