Pidakala War: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Annual cow dung fight in Andhra Pradesh}} |
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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 [[Andhra Pradesh]], India.{{r|deccanherald|hansindia}} It is a ritual specific to the 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.{{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}} |
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 [[Andhra Pradesh]], India.{{r|deccanherald|hansindia}} It is a ritual specific to the 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.{{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}} |
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Revision as of 00:17, 31 October 2024
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 Andhra Pradesh, India.[3][1] It is a ritual specific to the 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.[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 and Reddy 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]
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.
See also
Notes
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "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 "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 "Ushering in Ugadi by hurling cow dung". The Hindu. 14 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.
- ^ "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 "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.