Hundreds of people in Andhra Pradesh’s Kairuppala village took part in the annual Pidakala Samaram event, which includes participants pelting one other with balls of cow dung.
The annual ritual, which takes place the day after Ugadi – the name for New Year celebrations in certain Indian states – represents a mythological marriage dispute between Goddess Bhadrakali and Lord Veerabhadra Swamy.
Despite the fact that several injuries are reported each year, participants believe the practice brings health, prosperity and rain to the village, and that aches and pains will disappear after three days by applying a ‘Tilak’ of Lord Veerabhadra Swamy to their forehead.
