Police Deploy 1,000 Personnel For Devaragattu Banni Festival
The festival begins at midnight on Wednesday, with thousands of devotees: Reports
KURNOOL: Around 1,000 police personnel have been deployed at Devaragattu in Holagunda mandal of Kurnool district for the annual Banni festival, where a traditional stick-fighting ritual often leaves hundreds of participants injured.
The festival begins at midnight on Wednesday, with thousands of devotees expected to take part in the ritual associated with the Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy temple, situated on a hill about 800 feet high.
Devotees from several villages compete to take possession of the festival deities during the ceremonial procession, leading to clashes involving sticks. People from Neraniki, Neraniki Thanda and Kottapeta villages form one group, while devotees from Arikera, Arikera Thanda, Suluvai, Ellarthi, Kurukunda, Virupapuram and Bilehal form the opposing group.
The ritual begins after the idols are brought down the 350 steps from the hilltop to Kalyanakatta, where special prayers are performed. The procession follows, with the groups attempting to protect and take possession of the festival deities. The contest frequently results in injuries among participants.
The annual event poses a challenge to the police and district administration, which have stepped up security arrangements to prevent serious incidents.
Kurnool superintendent of police S. Vikrant Patil said around 1,000 police personnel had been deployed at Devaragattu. Preventive binding-over proceedings had also been initiated against 190 persons to maintain law and order during the festival.
A senior police officer said the stick-fighting ritual remained a challenge for the authorities each year, as they had to allow the traditional festival to continue while preventing injuries and maintaining public safety.
