In a remote corner of Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district, the annual Banni festival came alive on the night of Dasara, as it does every year.This cherished tradition, observed at the stroke of midnight, is a spectacle of cultural significance.
However, this year’s festivities took an unforeseen turn, leaving two souls departed and nearly forty souls nursing their wounds.The Deputy Superintendent of Kurnool, B Sreenivas Reddy, revealed that the customary rituals involve spirited stick fights and the dramatic display of flaming torches.
The tragedy unfolded when a flaming torch was inadvertently hurled, prompting a group of attendees to seek refuge in the sanctuary of a nearby tree.Tragically, the branch buckled under the weight, claiming the lives of two individuals trapped beneath.
Others, eager for a vantage point, had scaled tree branches, inadvertently putting themselves at risk.Superintendent of Police G Krishnakanth explained that a number of injuries occurred due to both the stick fight, an integral part of the festivities, and the unfortunate falls from the trees.
Among the wounded, a dozen or so were gravely injured and received immediate care at the Adoni government hospital.Encouragingly, they have since been discharged, their health on the mend.
In a separate, unrelated incident, another individual from Karnataka succumbed to natural causes, offering a poignant reminder of life’s fragility.
Authorities, anticipating the spirited fervor of the festival, had diligently arranged for ample police presence and paramedic support to maintain order and safety.
The Banni festival, situated on the border between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, draws devotees from both states.They converge to partake in prayers and the sacred “Kalyanam” ceremony of the deities, Malleshwara (Shiva) and Mallamma (Parvathi).
Pilgrims are divided into two groups, with some forming a protective cordon around the idols, while others undertake the daring task of “hijacking” or capturing the revered figures.Torches and clubs are brandished as symbols of devotion.
The descent from the hill, shirts stained symbolically with the essence of their fervor, marks the triumphant procession celebrating Mala-Malleshwara’s vanquishing of a formidable demon.This reverent pageantry continues until the break of dawn.
While the Banni festival is steeped in tradition and spirituality, recent years have witnessed unforeseen incidents.Last year, over seventy devotees were wounded, and a young soul from Karnataka departed.
In 2021, more than forty-five participants were similarly injured, underscoring the profound intensity and significance of this ancient celebration.
