■ The Banni festival is celebrated on the night of Vijaya dasami to celebrate the victory of Lord Mala Malleswara Swamy and Goddess Parvati over demon Mani and Mallasura, who troubled the people at Devaragattu region.
■ The annual religious festival is held on the premises of the Mala Malleswara Swamy Temple in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
■ The Banni festival involves participants displaying determination, often fighting even after sustaining injuries, sometimes until they are soaked in blood.
■ The Banni Utsav in Devaragattu has become known as ‘Karrala Samaram’, a battle of sticks, although the devotees view it as a tradition rather than a battle.
■ Local people believe that this tradition serves as a commemoration of the demon’s defeat at the hands of Lord Siva’s reincarnation.
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■ The festival, sees people travelling from neighbouring states of Telangana and Karnataka to participate and witness the annual tradition.
■ The belief is that Lord Shiva took the form of Bhairava and killed two demons Mani and Mallasura by thrashing them with sticks. The traditional festival is an enactment of the same scene.
■ The men from certain villages start walking carrying idols of Malla Malleshwara Swamy. The people from some other villages are deemed to be from the demon’s side. They try to snatch the idol and a fight breaks out.
■ Most people who gather for the festival are from the 11 villages around Devaragattu village.
■ The festival was celebrated by people under Vijayanagara Empire. It is believed to be a very ancient festival.
■ Every year, dozens of people end up getting injured in this dangerous traditional festival.
■ Even though the festival has eons of history, the event is often controversial – the main reason being the high number casualties.
■ Several attempts have been made by the authorities to tone down the intensity of the event- however, the locals do not take no for an answer.
■ Year after year, the state machinery takes the extra effort to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. And every year, the number of people participating keeps increasing.
