50 Injured in Banni Festival in Kurnool

October 13, 2016 09:05

In a tragic incident, around 50 persons were severely injured in the Banni festival at Devaragattu in Holagunda Mandal in Kurnool district. In this festival, 11 villages engage in a fierce mock stick fight at midnight of Vijayadashami festival on Tuesday.

The people of Neraniki, Neraniki thanda, Kothapet, Arikera, Arikera thanda, Yellarthi, Suluvai, Alur and adjoining villages resorted to a ritualistic stick fight at midnight. This stick fight took place during the procession of the idols of Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy and Sri Parvathi Devi after their kalyanotsavam was performed in Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy temple, atop an 800-foot high hillock at Devaragattu.

As the idols were carried down the hillock along Rakshasapada, Jammi chettu and Neduru Basavanna temple to the Simhasanakatta, the villagers vie with one another with long sticks with metal ring tips to gain possession of the idols, while people of Neraniki, Neraniki thanda and Kothapet try to protect them.

Kurnool Banni Festival Pics

During this, five sustained burns from flaming torches and 14 others sustained bleeding injuries. A man name Chinna Tikkanna, 50, the native of Devaragattu, got severely injured and was admitted to the Kurnool General Hospital.

Around 100 closed-circuit cameras were installed along with a drone camera to keep a watch on the pilgrims and the procession. District Collector Ch. Vijayamohan, Superintendent of Police A. Ravikrishna along with 100 revenue and other officials personnel monitored the festival.

1,300 police officials were also stationed to keep an eye on the pilgrims. The Collector told media that "Banni festival passed off peacefully and there were no instances of people wilfully attacking others."

Kurnool Banni Festival Pics

The SP said "action would be taken if needed by reviewing the CCTV footage. About 14 persons sustained bleeding injuries when sticks landed on them accidentally."

The Collector and the SP also visited Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy temple during the kalyanotsavam. Later they examined the long sticks with metal tips with which the festival is played. They also interacted with the villagers and some devotees dressed as “Jangam doras”, who recited songs. A large number of people came all the way from Rayalaseema and other places to witness the festival.