Pidakala War
| Pidakala War | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | Kairuppala, Aspari, Kurnool, India |
| Celebrations | mud fight |
| Frequency | Annual |
The Pidakala War (also known as the Pidakala Samaram or Peddanuggulata[2][3]) is a local Hindu folklore-based annual cow dung fight held in the village of Kairuppala, Aspari in Kurnool district of India.[4][2] It is a ritual specific to Kairuppala and is related to festivals or rituals from Hindu scriptures. The village is exclusively Hindu. [2][5][3] This celebration is assumed to have started in this village based on local traditions and folklore and is not sanctioned by any major Hindu religious body (Matha).[4][2]
The staging of the fight is based on local 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 Hindue deities consume cow dung. The fighting is involved enough that some participants are injured during the fight. It is held on the day after the Ugadi festival.
Legend
According to local folklore, before a marriage between the goddess Bhadrakali[a] and the god Virabhadra,[b] there was a dispute.[2] 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 mud at him,[2] 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 mud at Virabhadra, and villagers supporting Virabhadra responded with mud as well.[2] 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.[2][5]
Festival
Villagers of Kairuppala traditionally observe the mud fight and the marriage between the two gods by holding an annual mud fight on the day after Ugadi.[8][5] 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.[2][5][3]
Hundreds of people take part in the fight.[2][6] There is a large police presence at the festival in order to avoid seriously unruly incidents.[2] Injuries do occur, but no complaints are filed.[2] After the end of the fight, the village celebrates the marriage of Virabhadra and Bhadrakali, together.[5]
Locals say that the mud 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.[8]
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.[1]
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.[4][6][3] That year, a video of a crowd of maskless festivalgoers throwing mud during a pandemic sparked outrage online.[6] A police official stated that about 100 people were injured, but no one complained.[5]
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 "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Andhra villagers throw cow dung at each other to mark Pidakala War". Inshorts. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.