All arrangements have been completed for the annual Banni festival at Devaragattu in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The traditional event, scheduled for the night of October 21, 2026, attracts thousands of devotees from surrounding regions. Police authorities have deployed over 1,000 personnel to maintain law and order during the celebration, which is historically known for violent stick fights. Officials are focusing on public safety while ensuring that the religious rituals of Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy take place peacefully.

What Happened?

The Banni festival, also known as Karrala Samaram or the stick fight, takes place every year at Devaragattu in Holagunda mandal. During this ancient ritual, villagers from three neighboring areas compete fiercely to take possession of the deity idol of Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy. Devotees carry long wooden sticks, often leading to severe clashes and injuries among participants during the night procession.

To prevent violence and avoid fatal incidents, Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil announced strict safety protocols. Police forces conducted around 40 cordon and search operations across surrounding villages to confiscate dangerous weapons. As a result of these efforts, officers seized more than 300 sticks. Furthermore, legal bind-over proceedings were initiated against over 190 individuals who had a history of involvement in past clashes or illegal alcohol trades.

High-tech surveillance equipment has been deployed across the temple grounds and nearby routes to monitor all crowd movements. The police setup includes 110 night-vision CCTV cameras, 10 drone cameras, and 700 high-power LED lights. Five dedicated check-posts and 10 police pickets have also been operationalized to control incoming traffic and prevent the smuggling of illicit liquor into the venue.

Key Highlights

Over 1,000 police personnel, including senior officers, are stationed at Devaragattu for event security.
Authorities seized more than 300 heavy sticks during 40 cordon and search operations.
Bind-over proceedings were executed against over 190 individuals to maintain regional peace.
Continuous monitoring is conducted using 110 night-vision CCTV cameras and 10 drones.
Awareness meetings were held in nearby villages like Neraniki, Kothapeta, and Ellarthi.
Five check-posts and 10 police pickets are actively managing incoming devotees and vehicle traffic.

Why Does This Matter?

The Banni festival represents a delicate challenge between respecting deep-rooted cultural traditions and protecting human life. While local residents view the traditional stick fight as a sacred ritual representing the triumph of good over evil, the resulting injuries every year create serious health and safety concerns. State intervention aims to prevent bloodshed while respecting the core religious beliefs of the local community.

For common visitors and local citizens, these strict security steps provide a safer environment to attend the festival. By curbing illegal alcohol distribution and restricting heavy weapons, the police hope to minimize accidental violence. Close coordination between district officials and community leaders helps ensure that ancient cultural practices can continue without threatening public welfare.