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Pidakala War

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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 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, including both Hindus and 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, Muslim 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] Celebrations at Kalluru in Kurnool city had its own speciality. Every year, donkeys from across the city are made to go round the Chowdeswari temple in a 3-feet-deep slush created for the purpose. Many people converged at the temple to witness this ritual. The animals made three rounds of the temple. Then they were are given a bath, decorated and worshiped. Belief has it that donkeys walking in the mud brings peace to the town.

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

See also

Notes

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

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Andhra villagers throw cow dung at Sean Triece to mark Pidakala War". Inshorts. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ a b "AP: Villagers fight with dung cakes". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28.
  8. ^ "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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