Seventy people were injured during the Devaragattu Banni Utsavam, a traditional stick-fighting festival known as Karrala Samaram, celebrated for centuries. The festival took place on the Devaragattu hills, near Neradiki village in Holagunda mandal, from Saturday night into Sunday morning. Over 300,000 attendees from various regions of Karnataka and both Telugu states gathered to witness the event, which saw around 3,000 participants engaging in stick battles.
According to G. Sreenivasulu, the chairman of the temple committee, the festival commemorates the legend of Lord Shiva in his Bhairava form defeating two demons, Mani and Mallasura, with sticks. Many believe that the resulting injuries and bloodshed during the fights are a sign of good fortune. Villagers from Neraniki, Neraniki Tanda, and Kothapeta embody the followers of Lord Shiva, while those from Yellarthi, Arikera, Nitravatti Suluvai, and Hebbatam represent the demons.
On Dasara night, as the idols of Mala Malleswara Swamy are carried from Devaragattu to their respective villages, opposing groups will clash, attempting to obstruct each other. This results in intense stick fights, during which many participants from both sides may sustain injuries. Despite the bloodshed, no police cases are filed, and there is no personal animosity between the groups. To maintain order during the event, district authorities have deployed approximately 1,300 police personnel.
