Overview of the Devaragattu Banni Festival Incident (2025)
The Devaragattu Banni Festival, a centuries-old procession around the Mal Malleshwara temple atop Devaragattu hill in the Holagund mandal of Kurnool district, was marred by a violent clash during the annual procession. On the early hours of October 3, 2025, as devotees prepared for the post-ritual procession, two groups from neighboring villages collided using wooden clubs, turning a religious event into a scene of bloodshed. Local officials confirmed that two people lost their lives and more than 100 were wounded, with several seriously injured and transported to medical facilities in Adoni.
What Happened on Oct 3, 2025
The incident occurred during the routine rally that follows the marriage ceremony of deities at the temple. A long-standing rivalry between groups from Neradi and nearby Neradike on one side and Ellarti, Arike, Sulvai, Maddigeri, Nitravati, Hebbettem and surrounding villages on the other reportedly escalated into a melee. Participants wielded sticks in a crowd-averse ritual, and the fray quickly spiraled into a dangerous confrontation, leaving a trail of injuries and concerns about safety at a festival that draws devotees from across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.
Impact on Participants
Medical officials described multiple injuries ranging from minor to critical. About half a dozen victims were classified as serious, necessitating rapid admission to regional hospitals. The chaos prompted a temporary medical facility and ambulance convoys as first responders tried to stabilize the injured and prevent further casualties.
Context: Tradition, Belief, and Public Safety
The Devaragattu Banni Festival is rooted in a mythic tradition that echoes local martial history—devotees believe the event honors a past conflict where the hill deity, Mal Malleshwara, is celebrated for vanquishing demons with wooden clubs. For many worshippers, the drumbeat of tradition and the perceived divine sanction for the ritual underpins the fervor of the crowd. Yet this year’s violence has spotlighted the conflicting demands of preserving cultural heritage and ensuring public safety during mass gatherings.
Official Response and Investigation
District administration officials reported that extensive measures were in place: about 700 police personnel, 200 CCTV cameras, a temporary hospital, and alcohol restrictions around the festival period. Despite these arrangements and mobile patrolling by security forces, the crowd’s momentum overwhelmed control efforts. Police have launched an investigation to determine the sequence of events and to identify those responsible for the violence.
Community Voices and Next Steps
Local residents and social activists are calling for a careful balance between respecting tradition and ensuring safety. While many devotees insist that the clash is an aberration, others emphasize the need for stringent security arrangements and crowd management strategies during the festival’s peak moments. Analysts suggest improvements in communication with attendees, pre-event safety briefings, and enhanced coordination between district authorities and temple committees to prevent recurrence in the coming years.
What Comes Next
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to conducting the festival within a framework that minimizes risk to pilgrims. Investigations are expected to shape future policy measures, including potential restrictions on aggressive acts during the procession and more robust crowd-control protocols. Families of the deceased and the injured are seeking accountability and assurances that harm won’t be repeated at a festival that holds deep cultural significance in the region.
Conclusion
The 2025 Devaragattu Banni Festival incident underscores the tension between enduring regional customs and the obligation to protect public safety. As investigations proceed, community leaders, authorities, and worshippers must work together to preserve the festival’s spiritual meaning while implementing practical safeguards that prevent bloodshed in the future.
