Andhra Pradesh: One killed, 70 injured in Banni festival stick fight
One devotee died and at least 70 people were injured during the annual Banni festival, also known as Karrela Samaram, at Devaragattu Hills near the Sri Malamalleswara Swamy temple in Holagunda mandal of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. The event was held on Wednesday midnight.
The deceased was identified as Pothuraju, 35, a native of Aluru village in Kurnool district. The report did not specify the circumstances that led to his death.
Eight people who suffered critical injuries were shifted to Adoni Area Hospital, according to the report. At least 70 people sustained injuries in the incident.
According to reports, nearly three lakh people from across the district and neighbouring Karnataka and Telangana thronged the hill to watch the annual stick fight. Nearly 3,000 people from nearby villages clashed with each other with sticks, leading to injuries to several devotees.
The Banni festival is an annual religious event held at the Devaragattu Hills temple. The stick fight, known locally as Karrela Samaram, is a central part of the proceedings and draws participants and spectators from nearby villages and neighbouring states.
The large turnout and the nature of the event underscore the challenges of ensuring safety at crowded religious festivals. The report said eight critically injured people were shifted to Adoni Area Hospital, while at least 70 people sustained injuries. It did not provide details of the medical arrangements at the site or the total number of people treated.
Large religious gatherings in India often require coordinated arrangements involving police, medical teams and local volunteers. In this case, the initial report focused on the casualty figures and the scale of the gathering. Further verified details about the cause of the death and the condition of the injured were not immediately available.
The festival is held in Holagunda mandal of Kurnool district. The report said the event drew devotees from the district and from Karnataka and Telangana. It did not say whether any restrictions were placed on the stick fight or whether an inquiry had been ordered.
The report described the Banni festival as a major annual event for the region. It said the stick fight involved nearly 3,000 people from nearby villages. The spectators included people from Kurnool district and from the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Telangana.
Injuries during large religious events can occur because of crowd movement, the use of sticks and the challenge of providing timely medical attention in a crowded hill area. The report did not provide a breakdown of the injuries or say how many people were treated at the site and how many were taken to hospital.
The report did not include a detailed statement from officials. It was not clear whether the death was directly caused by the stick fight or by another factor. The report also did not give the condition of the eight people who were shifted to Adoni Area Hospital.
The temple and the festival are located in Holagunda mandal, which is part of Kurnool district. The event is held annually, and the report described it as a major draw for devotees and spectators from the region.
The article is based on the initial report and will be updated if more verified information becomes available.
