Devaragattu Banni Festival 2025 Ends - Two lives lost, 90 Injured

The 2025 Devaragattu Banni festival in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, turned tragic during its climax on the night of October 2-3, coinciding with Vijay Dashami. Official reports confirmed two fatalities: one participant succumbed to a severe head injury sustained during the ritual stick fight, while another suffered a heart attack amid the ensuing chaos. In addition, around 90 devotees sustained injuries ranging from minor bruises to more serious wounds requiring hospitalization. Some reports cited 78 injuries, likely reflecting on-site treatment of minor cases. Despite the risks, the festival attracted an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and other regions, highlighting its enduring appeal.

The Banni festival, also called Karrala Samaram or "stick battle," spans 11 days and culminates on Vijay Dashami at the Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy Temple atop the 800-foot Devaragattu hillocks in Holagunda mandal. Rooted in Hindu mythology, it commemorates the victory of Lord Mala Malleswara Swamy, a form of Shiva, and Goddess Parvati over the demon brothers Mani and Mallasura, who once tormented sages in the region. Legend holds that the demons, protected from human death by divine boons, were defeated in a fierce battle, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival includes rituals such as Ganapati puja, Kalyanotsavam (the celestial wedding of the deities), and Dwajarohanam (flag hoisting).

Villagers from Neraniki, Neraniki Tanda, Kothapeta representing Shiva's followers and Yellarthi, Arikera, Nitravati, Suluvai, and Hebbatam symbolizing the demons observe strict vows of fasting, celibacy, and a sattvic diet. Armed with bamboo sticks, participants clash in a mock battle to "capture" the idols during the Banni Jatra Yatra. The fray continues until dawn, accompanied by fire torches and sandalwood paste rituals, concluding with Daiva Karnikam (divine fortune-telling) at the Basavanna temple. Originating during the Vijayanagara Empire (14th–16th centuries), the festival blends Shaivite devotion with martial traditions, earning a place in Andhra Pradesh’s Class X Telugu textbook. Devotees believe that bloodshed transfers sins to the sticks, though this practice has fueled debates over the ritual’s violent aspects overshadowing its spiritual meaning.

The Devaragattu Banni festival in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, has a long history of injuries and fatalities, often from head blows, stampedes, or accidents like falling tree branches. In 2024, two deaths occurred in a road accident, with around 70 injuries, while 2023 saw three deaths two from a tree branch and one from suffocation and over 100 injuries. Safety measures such as drones, bans on iron-tipped sticks, and mobile medical camps have helped reduce casualties, though massive crowds exceeding 300,000 continue to strain resources. Proposals for padded sticks are often rejected by villagers as diluting tradition. The 2025 festival, which saw two deaths and nearly 90 injuries, underscores the festival’s dual nature: a vibrant cultural celebration and a persistent public safety challenge. Authorities balance enforcement with tradition, while experts advocate protective gear, AI-monitored crowd control, or eco-friendly sticks to minimize risk.