A traditional Banni Utsavam stick fight at Devaragattu in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district turned tragic, leaving a devotee dead and many others injured, with several reportedly in critical condition. The ritual, also known as Karrala Samaram, is held after the midnight ceremonial wedding of the deities at the Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy temple. Devotees from several villages traditionally form opposing groups and use sticks to compete for possession of the festival idols.
Despite appeals for a peaceful celebration and extensive security arrangements, the confrontation resulted in fatal and serious injuries. The deceased was identified by police as Pothuraju, a resident of Alur.
Stick Fight Turns Fatal
The confrontation began after the festival idols were carried down from the hill following the ceremonial wedding and prayers. Groups of devotees from different villages entered the traditional contest, with participants wielding sticks and, according to reports, stones and flaming torches. The fight continued for more than half an hour, leaving several people with head and other serious injuries.
The injured were taken to government hospitals in Alur and Adoni, while those with less serious injuries were treated at a temporary medical facility established at the venue. Police identified Pothuraju as the person who died after sustaining injuries during the confrontation.
Police Mounted Heavy Security
Authorities had anticipated the risk of clashes and deployed around 1,000 police personnel for the festival. Security arrangements included five checkposts, 10 police pickets, 110 night-vision CCTV cameras and 10 drones for surveillance. Police also conducted 40 cordon-and-search operations and seized around 300 sticks.
Preventive proceedings were initiated against 190 people identified as potential troublemakers or those previously involved in clashes. Authorities also seized illicit liquor and destroyed material allegedly prepared for its production. Despite these preparations, the traditional stick fight went ahead.
Officials Urged Restraint
Ahead of the festival, Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil appealed to devotees to observe the tradition peacefully. He warned participants against using the occasion to settle personal disputes or old village rivalries and said violence and attacks could invite legal action. Police and revenue officials also conducted awareness meetings in villages around Devaragattu before the event.
The administration had specifically sought cooperation from communities involved in the ritual while preparing medical and emergency arrangements for the large gathering.
The Tradition And Belief
Banni Utsavam is held annually at Devaragattu as part of Vijayadashami celebrations. Local belief links the ritual to a battle in which Lord Shiva, in the form of Bhairava, defeated the demons Mani and Mallasura. The traditional stick fight is regarded as a symbolic recreation of that victory.
After the ceremonial wedding of the deities, devotees carry the idols in a procession before opposing groups compete to secure them. Thousands of devotees from Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states, including Telangana and Karnataka, gather to witness the event.
Tradition Meets Safety
The Devaragattu festival illustrates the difficult balance between preserving a community’s cultural and religious traditions and protecting people from preventable harm. Authorities have increased surveillance, deployed large police contingents and repeatedly appealed for restraint, yet serious injuries continue to occur.
Preserving the spiritual meaning of Banni Utsavam should not require accepting deaths and severe injuries as inevitable. Temple authorities, local communities and the administration could work together to redesign the physical aspects of the ritual while retaining its cultural significance.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Faith and tradition can connect generations and preserve a community’s history, but human life must remain at the centre of every celebration. A ritual that symbolises the triumph of good over evil should not repeatedly end with families mourning or devotees being hospitalised.
Rather than dismissing the tradition or allowing dangerous practices to continue unchanged, authorities and communities should have an open dialogue about safer ways to preserve its meaning. Can Banni Utsavam evolve with time while protecting both its centuries-old cultural identity and the lives of those who celebrate it?
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The traditional stick fight ‘’Banni Utsavam’’, a centuries-old Dasara ritual symbolising the victory of good over evil in Kurnool, left around 60 injured, with 10 in critical condition and one reported dead. Over 1000 police personnel were deployed to keep the event incident-free. #AndhraPradesh #Devaragattu
— Ashish (@KP_Aashish) October 22, 2026
