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The Pidakala War (also known as the Pidakala Samaram or Peddanuggulata^[1]^[2]) is a local folklore-based annual cow dung fight held in the village of Kairuppala, Aspari in Kurnool district of India.^[3]^[1] It is a ritual specific to Kairuppala village and is not related to any festival or ritual from any Hindu scriptures. The village is split into two sides representing various local communities. including Muslims ^[1]^[4]^[2] This celebration is assumed to have started in this village based on local traditions and is not sanctioned by any major Hindu religious body (Matha).^[3]^[1]

Festival

Villagers of Kairuppala traditionally observe the cow dung fight and the marriage between the two gods by holding an annual cow dung fight on the day after Ugadi.^[5]^[4] The village is split into two sides: the Dalit, Kuruba, and Yadava communities on one side representing Bhadrakali; and the Lingayat, Reddy, and Muslim communities on the other representing Virabhadra.^[1]^[4]^[2]

Hundreds of people take part in the fight.^[1]^[6] There is a large police presence at the festival in order to avoid seriously unruly incidents.^[1] Injuries do occur, but no complaints are filed.^[1] After the end of the fight, the village celebrates the marriage of Virabhadra and Bhadrakali, together.^[4]

Legend

According to local folklore, before a marriage between the goddess Bhadrakali^[a] and the god Virabhadra,^[b] there was a dispute.^[1] Sources appear to vary regarding the basis of the dispute: The Hans India states that Bhadrakali was angered by Virabhadra's unexpected advances and threatened to throw cow dung at him,^[1] while The New Indian Express states that the couple was separated for some time following an affair.^[7] At one point, villagers supporting Bhadrakali began throwing cow dung at Virabhadra, and villagers supporting Virabhadra responded with cow dung as well.^[1] The fight lasted for about an hour before the leaders of the village settled the situation and the marriage between the two gods was held.^[1]^[4]

Festival

Villagers of Kairuppala traditionally observe the cow dung fight and the marriage between the two gods by holding an annual cow dung fight on the day after Ugadi.^[5]^[4] The village is split into two sides: the Dalit, Kuruba, and Yadava communities on one side representing Bhadrakali; and the Lingayat, Reddy, and Muslim communities on the other representing Virabhadra.^[1]^[4]^[2] Hundreds of people take part in the fight.^[1]^[6] There is a large police presence at the festival in order to avoid seriously unruly incidents.^[1] Injuries do occur, but no complaints are filed.^[1] After the end of the fight, the village celebrates the marriage of Virabhadra and Bhadrakali, together.^[4] Locals say that the cow dung fight can be good for everyone's health, and that the annual ritual brings prosperity, as well as rainfall and other favorable weather conditions to the village.^[5]

Recent years

In 2012, about 15 people were injured, but no complaints were filed.^[7] In 2022, a local official reported that up to 50 people sustained injuries, but the police received no complaints.^[8] In 2021, during the coronavirus pandemic, despite India suffering one of the world's worst outbreaks and experiencing a recent surge in cases at the time, special permission to hold the festival was granted.^[3]^[6]^[2] That year, a video of a crowd of maskless festivalgoers throwing cow dung during a pandemic sparked outrage online.^[6] A police official stated that about 100 people were injured, but no one complained.^[4]

Similar festivals

Carnival of Ivrea – an orange fight in Italy
Gorehabba – a mud fight following Diwali in India
Haro Wine Festival – a wine fight in Spain
La Tomatina – a tomato fight in Spain
Thingyan – during which water fights are held in Myanmar
Las Bolas De Fuego – a fireball fight in Nejapa, El Salvador.

Notes

^ Bhadrakali is sometimes referred to as "Kalika Devi".^[1]^[4]
^ Virabhadra is sometimes referred to as "Veerabhadra Swamy".^[4]^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q "Cow dung fight fest denotes social harmony". The Hans India. 24 March 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Violating COVID Protocols, Thousands Fling Dung at AP Ugadi Fest". The Quint. 15 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.
^ ^a ^b ^c "With no Covid fear, Andhra villagers hold 'Pidakala War' in Kurnool". Deccan Herald. 15 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k "Ushering in Ugadi by hurling cow dung". The Hindu. 14 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Andhra villagers throw cow dung at each other to mark Pidakala War". Inshorts. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Amid COVID-19 Spike, Hundreds Assemble And Hurl Cow Dung Cakes In Andhra Pradesh Village As Part Of Ugadi Celebration". Mashable India. 16 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.
^ ^a ^b "AP: Villagers fight with dung cakes". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.
^ "Cow dung fight, donkey parade mark Ugadi in Andhra's Kurnool". The New Indian Express. 4 April 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.

[7] Bhadrakali is sometimes referred to as "Kalika Devi".^[1]^[4]

[8] Virabhadra is sometimes referred to as "Veerabhadra Swamy".^[4]^[6]

[hansindia-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q "Cow dung fight fest denotes social harmony". The Hans India. 24 March 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.

[quint-2] "Violating COVID Protocols, Thousands Fling Dung at AP Ugadi Fest". The Quint. 15 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.

[deccanherald-3] "With no Covid fear, Andhra villagers hold 'Pidakala War' in Kurnool". Deccan Herald. 15 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.

[hindu-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k "Ushering in Ugadi by hurling cow dung". The Hindu. 14 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.

[inshorts-5] "Andhra villagers throw cow dung at each other to mark Pidakala War". Inshorts. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.

[mashable-6] "Amid COVID-19 Spike, Hundreds Assemble And Hurl Cow Dung Cakes In Andhra Pradesh Village As Part Of Ugadi Celebration". Mashable India. 16 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.

[newindianexpress.2012-9] "AP: Villagers fight with dung cakes". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.

[newindianexpress.2022-10] "Cow dung fight, donkey parade mark Ugadi in Andhra's Kurnool". The New Indian Express. 4 April 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|Annual mud fight in an Indian village}}
+{{Short description}}
+The '''Pidakala War''' (also known as the '''Pidakala Samaram'''<!-- Locally, "pidakalu" refers to dried [[cow dung]] cakes used for fuel, and "samaram" means combat, war, or battle --> or '''Peddanuggulata'''{{r|hansindia|quint}}) is a local folklore-based annual cow dung fight held in the village of Kairuppala<!-- or khyruppala -->, [[Aspari]] in [[Kurnool district]] of India.{{r|deccanherald|hansindia}} It is a ritual specific to Kairuppala village and is not related to any festival or ritual from any [[Hindu]] scriptures. The village is split into two sides representing various local communities. including [[Muslims]]
-{{Infobox holiday
+{{r|hansindia|hindu|quint}} This celebration is assumed to have started in this village based on local traditions and is not sanctioned by any major Hindu religious body ([[Matha]]).{{r|deccanherald|hansindia}}
-| holiday_name = Pidakala War
-| type         =
-| image        =
-| observedby   = Kairuppala<!-- or khyruppala -->, [[Aspari]], [[Kurnool district|Kurnool]], [[India]]
-| frequency    = Annual
-| date2022     = {{dts|2022.04.03|format=dmy}}{{r|newindianexpress.2022}}
-| celebrations = [[cow dung]] fight
-| observances  =
-| relatedto    =
-}}
-The '''Pidakala War''' (also known as the '''Pidakala Samaram'''<!-- in telugu, "pidakala" refers to dried [[cow dung]] cakes, and "samaram" means combat, war, or battle --> or '''Peddanuggulata'''{{r|hansindia|quint}}) is a local Hindu folklore-based annual [[cow dung]] fight held in the village of Kairuppala<!-- or khyruppala -->, [[Aspari]] in [[Kurnool district]] of India.{{r|deccanherald|hansindia}} It is a ritual specific to Kairuppala and is related to festivals or rituals from [[Hindu]] scriptures. The village is exclusively Hindu.
-{{r|hansindia|hindu|quint}} This celebration is assumed to have started in this village based on local Hindu traditions and folklore
-and is sanctioned by major Hindu religious bodies. ([[Matha]]).{{r|deccanherald|hansindia}}
-The staging of the fight is based on local Hindu folklore, which states that after a dispute had arisen regarding the proposed marriage between two gods, a [[cow dung]] fight broke out. It is said that the annual [[cow dung]] fight brings good health, as well as rain and prosperity to the village as the Hindu deities consume cow dung. The fighting is involved enough that some participants are injured during the fight due to voluntary over-consumption of cow dung. It is held on the day after the [[Ugadi]] festival.
-== Legend ==
-According to local folklore, before a marriage between the goddess [[Bhadrakali]]{{efn|Bhadrakali is sometimes referred to as "Kalika Devi".{{r|hansindia|hindu}}}} and the god [[Virabhadra]],{{efn|Virabhadra is sometimes referred to as "Veerabhadra Swamy".{{r|hindu|mashable}}}} there was a dispute.{{r|hansindia}}  Sources appear<!-- the two listed here could conceivably be both correct --> to vary regarding the basis of the dispute: ''[[The Hans India]]'' states that Bhadrakali was angered by Virabhadra's unexpected advances and threatened to throw cow dung at him,{{r|hansindia}} while ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' states that the couple was separated for some time following an affair.{{r|newindianexpress.2012}}
-At one point, villagers supporting Bhadrakali began throwing cow dung at Virabhadra, and villagers supporting Virabhadra responded with cow dung as well.{{r|hansindia}}  The fight lasted for about an hour before the leaders of the village settled the situation and the marriage between the two gods was held.{{r|hansindia|hindu}}
 == Festival ==
-Villagers of Kairuppala traditionally observe the cow dung fight and the marriage between the two gods by holding an annual cow dung fight on the day after [[Ugadi]].{{r|inshorts|hindu}}  The village is split into two sides: the [[Dalit]], [[Kuruba]], and [[Yadava]] communities on one side representing Bhadrakali; and the [[Lingayatism|Lingayat]], [[Reddy]], and [[Muslims|Muslim]] communities on the other representing Virabhadra.{{r|hansindia|hindu|quint}}
+Villagers of Kairuppala traditionally observe the cow dung fight and the marriage between the two gods by holding an annual cow dung fight on the day after [[Ugadi]].{{r|inshorts|hindu}}  The village is split into two sides: the [[Dalit]], [[Kuruba]], and [[Yadava]] communities on one side representing Bhadrakali; and the [[Lingayatism|Lingayat]], [[Reddy]], and [[ReddyMuslims|Muslim]] communities on the other representing Virabhadra.{{r|hansindia|hindu|quint}}
 Hundreds of people take part in the fight.{{r|hansindia|mashable}}  There is a large police presence at the festival in order to avoid seriously unruly incidents.{{r|hansindia}}  Injuries do occur, but no complaints are filed.{{r|hansindia}}  After the end of the fight, the village celebrates the marriage of Virabhadra and Bhadrakali, together.{{r|hindu}}
-Locals say that the cow dung fight can be good for everyone's health, and that the annual ritual brings prosperity, as well as rainfall and other favorable weather conditions to the village.{{r|inshorts}}
-== Recent years ==
-In 2012, about 15 people were injured, but no complaints were filed.{{r|newindianexpress.2012}}  In 2022, a local official reported that up to 50 people sustained injuries, but the police received no complaints.{{r|newindianexpress.2022}}
-In 2021, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus pandemic]], despite India suffering one of the world's worst outbreaks and experiencing a recent surge in cases at the time, special permission to hold the festival was granted.{{r|deccanherald|mashable|quint}}  That year, a video of a crowd of maskless festivalgoers throwing cow dung during a pandemic sparked outrage online.{{r|mashable}}  A police official stated that about 100 people were injured, but no one complained.<!-- note: mentioning lack of complaints because, interestingly, reliable sources reporting an approximate number of injuries seem to also make it a point to mention that there were no complaints -->{{r|hindu}}
-== Similar festivals ==
-* [[Carnival of Ivrea]] – an orange fight in Italy
-* [[Gorehabba]] – a cow dung fight following [[Diwali]] in India
-* [[Haro Wine Festival]] – a wine fight in Spain
-* ''[[La Tomatina]]'' – a tomato fight in Spain
-* [[Thingyan (Myanmar)|Thingyan]] – during which water fights are held in Myanmar <!-- note: water fights are also held outside of thailand, but the general songkran article only briefly mentions them -->
-* [[Nejapa#Las Bolas De Fuego| Las Bolas De Fuego]] – a fireball fight in [[Nejapa]], [[El Salvador]].
-== See also ==
-* {{section link|Cattle in religion and mythology|Hinduism}}
-== Notes ==
-{{Notelist}}
-== References ==
-{{Reflist|refs=
-<!--
-<ref name="clickorlando">          {{Cite web |title=Holy flying cow pies! Wild video captures dung fight |url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2019/04/24/holy-flying-cow-pies-wild-video-captures-dung-fight/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230528215703/https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2019/04/24/holy-flying-cow-pies-wild-video-captures-dung-fight/ |archive-date=2023-05-28 |website=Click Orlando|date=24 April 2019 }}</ref>
--->
-<ref name="deccanherald">          {{Cite web |title=With no Covid fear, Andhra villagers hold 'Pidakala War' in Kurnool |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/video/national/south/with-no-covid-fear-andhra-villagers-hold-pidakala-war-in-kurnool-974611.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230528215710/https://www.deccanherald.com/video/national/south/with-no-covid-fear-andhra-villagers-hold-pidakala-war-in-kurnool-974611.html |archive-date=2023-05-28 |website=Deccan Herald|date=15 April 2021 }}</ref>
-<ref name="hansindia">             {{Cite web |title=Cow dung fight fest denotes social harmony |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/cow-dung-fight-fest-denotes-social-harmony-789316 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230528230447/https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/cow-dung-fight-fest-denotes-social-harmony-789316 |archive-date=2023-05-28 |website=The Hans India|date=24 March 2023 }}</ref>
-<ref name="hindu">                 {{Cite news |title=Ushering in Ugadi by hurling cow dung |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ushering-in-ugadi-by-hurling-cow-dung/article34321362.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230528215847/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ushering-in-ugadi-by-hurling-cow-dung/article34321362.ece |archive-date=2023-05-28 |website=The Hindu|date=14 April 2021 }}</ref>
-<ref name="inshorts">              {{Cite web |title=Andhra villagers throw cow dung at each other to mark Pidakala War |url=https://inshorts.com/en/news/andhra-villagers-throw-cow-dung-at-each-other-to-mark-pidakala-war-1554914734657 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230528215545/https://inshorts.com/en/news/andhra-villagers-throw-cow-dung-at-each-other-to-mark-pidakala-war-1554914734657 |archive-date=2023-05-28 |website=Inshorts}}</ref>
-<ref name="mashable">              {{Cite web |title=Amid COVID-19 Spike, Hundreds Assemble And Hurl Cow Dung Cakes In Andhra Pradesh Village As Part Of Ugadi Celebration |url=https://in.mashable.com/culture/21616/amid-covid-19-spike-hundreds-assemble-and-hurl-cow-dung-cakes-in-andhra-pradesh-village-as-part-of-u |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230528225353/https://in.mashable.com/culture/21616/amid-covid-19-spike-hundreds-assemble-and-hurl-cow-dung-cakes-in-andhra-pradesh-village-as-part-of-u |archive-date=2023-05-28 |website=Mashable India|date=16 April 2021 }}</ref>
-<ref name="newindianexpress.2012"> {{Cite web |title=AP: Villagers fight with dung cakes |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2012/mar/25/ap-villagers-fight-with-dung-cakes-352002.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230528225357/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2012/mar/25/ap-villagers-fight-with-dung-cakes-352002.html |archive-date=2023-05-28 |website=The New Indian Express|date=16 May 2012 }}</ref>
-<ref name="newindianexpress.2022"> {{Cite web |title=Cow dung fight, donkey parade mark Ugadi in Andhra's Kurnool |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2022/apr/04/cow-dung-fight-donkey-parade-mark-ugadi-in-andhras-kurnool-2437673.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230528215803/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2022/apr/04/cow-dung-fight-donkey-parade-mark-ugadi-in-andhras-kurnool-2437673.html |archive-date=2023-05-28 |website=The New Indian Express|date=4 April 2022 }}</ref>
-<ref name="quint">                 {{Cite web |title=Violating COVID Protocols, Thousands Fling Dung at AP Ugadi Fest |url=https://www.thequint.com/coronavirus/violating-covid-protocols-thousands-fling-dung-at-ap-ugadi-fest |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230528225408/https://www.thequint.com/coronavirus/violating-covid-protocols-thousands-fling-dung-at-ap-ugadi-fest |archive-date=2023-05-28 |website=The Quint|date=15 April 2021 }}</ref>
-}}
-[[Category:Festivals in Andhra Pradesh]]
-[[Category:Hindu culture]]
-[[Category:Hindu festivals in India]]
-[[Category:Hinduism and cattle]]
-[[Category:Kurnool]]
-[[Category:Manure]]
-[[Category:Mock combat]]
-[[Category:New Year in India]]
-[[Category:Telugu society]]
 [[Category:Annual events in India]]
 == Legend ==
 According to local folklore, before a marriage between the goddess [[Bhadrakali]]{{efn|Bhadrakali is sometimes referred to as "Kalika Devi".{{r|hansindia|hindu}}}} and the god [[Virabhadra]],{{efn|Virabhadra is sometimes referred to as "Veerabhadra Swamy".{{r|hindu|mashable}}}} there was a dispute.{{r|hansindia}}  Sources appear<!-- the two listed here could conceivably be both correct --> to vary regarding the basis of the dispute: ''[[The Hans India]]'' states that Bhadrakali was angered by Virabhadra's unexpected advances and threatened to throw cow dung at him,{{r|hansindia}} while ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' states that the couple was separated for some time following an affair.{{r|newindianexpress.2012}}
 At one point, villagers supporting Bhadrakali began throwing cow dung at Virabhadra, and villagers supporting Virabhadra responded with cow dung as well.{{r|hansindia}}  The fight lasted for about an hour before the leaders of the village settled the situation and the marriage between the two gods was held.{{r|hansindia|hindu}}
 == Festival ==
 Villagers of Kairuppala traditionally observe the cow dung fight and the marriage between the two gods by holding an annual cow dung fight on the day after [[Ugadi]].{{r|inshorts|hindu}}  The village is split into two sides: the [[Dalit]], [[Kuruba]], and [[Yadava]] communities on one side representing Bhadrakali; and the [[Lingayatism|Lingayat]], [[Reddy]], and [[Muslims|Muslim]] communities on the other representing Virabhadra.{{r|hansindia|hindu|quint}}
 Hundreds of people take part in the fight.{{r|hansindia|mashable}}  There is a large police presence at the festival in order to avoid seriously unruly incidents.{{r|hansindia}}  Injuries do occur, but no complaints are filed.{{r|hansindia}}  After the end of the fight, the village celebrates the marriage of Virabhadra and Bhadrakali, together.{{r|hindu}}
 Locals say that the cow dung fight can be good for everyone's health, and that the annual ritual brings prosperity, as well as rainfall and other favorable weather conditions to the village.{{r|inshorts}}
 == Recent years ==
 In 2012, about 15 people were injured, but no complaints were filed.{{r|newindianexpress.2012}}  In 2022, a local official reported that up to 50 people sustained injuries, but the police received no complaints.{{r|newindianexpress.2022}}
 In 2021, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus pandemic]], despite India suffering one of the world's worst outbreaks and experiencing a recent surge in cases at the time, special permission to hold the festival was granted.{{r|deccanherald|mashable|quint}}  That year, a video of a crowd of maskless festivalgoers throwing cow dung during a pandemic sparked outrage online.{{r|mashable}}  A police official stated that about 100 people were injured, but no one complained.<!-- note: mentioning lack of complaints because, interestingly, reliable sources reporting an approximate number of injuries seem to also make it a point to mention that there were no complaints -->{{r|hindu}}
 == Similar festivals ==
 * [[Carnival of Ivrea]] – an orange fight in Italy
@@ Line 108: / Line 27: @@
 * [[Thingyan (Myanmar)|Thingyan]] – during which water fights are held in Myanmar <!-- note: water fights are also held outside of thailand, but the general songkran article only briefly mentions them -->
 * [[Nejapa#Las Bolas De Fuego| Las Bolas De Fuego]] – a fireball fight in [[Nejapa]], [[El Salvador]].
 == See also ==
 * {{section link|Cattle in religion and mythology|Hinduism}}
 == Notes ==
 {{Notelist}}
 == References ==
 {{Reflist|refs=
 <!--
 <ref name="clickorlando">          {{Cite web |title=Holy flying cow pies! Wild video captures dung fight |url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2019/04/24/holy-flying-cow-pies-wild-video-captures-dung-fight/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230528215703/https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2019/04/24/holy-flying-cow-pies-wild-video-captures-dung-fight/ |archive-date=2023-05-28 |website=Click Orlando|date=24 April 2019 }}</ref>
@@ Line 129: / Line 44: @@
 <ref name="newindianexpress.2022"> {{Cite web |title=Cow dung fight, donkey parade mark Ugadi in Andhra's Kurnool |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2022/apr/04/cow-dung-fight-donkey-parade-mark-ugadi-in-andhras-kurnool-2437673.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230528215803/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2022/apr/04/cow-dung-fight-donkey-parade-mark-ugadi-in-andhras-kurnool-2437673.html |archive-date=2023-05-28 |website=The New Indian Express|date=4 April 2022 }}</ref>
 <ref name="quint">                 {{Cite web |title=Violating COVID Protocols, Thousands Fling Dung at AP Ugadi Fest |url=https://www.thequint.com/coronavirus/violating-covid-protocols-thousands-fling-dung-at-ap-ugadi-fest |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230528225408/https://www.thequint.com/coronavirus/violating-covid-protocols-thousands-fling-dung-at-ap-ugadi-fest |archive-date=2023-05-28 |website=The Quint|date=15 April 2021 }}</ref>
 }}
 [[Category:Festivals in Andhra Pradesh]]
 [[Category:Hindu culture]]