Bloodshed marks unique Dasara festIVAL

Bellary, Karnataka, Oct 4 (UNI) Violence and bloodshed would be the last thing one would associate with Dassara festival but that is part of the tradition at Guddada Mallaiah temple, about 40 km from here.

Devotees from Neranki and Neranki Tanda, armed with iron-ringed bamboo staves fight with a rival group from Honnalli and Ellarthi villages for the right to carry the palanquin of the deities Guddada Mallaiah and Mallamma. One person was killed and six sustained injuries in the ritualistic battle this year.

Thousands of devotees from Karnataka and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh participate in the festival with all zeal. For centuries, people of the region have been fighting over the deity of Maala Malleswara, popularly known as Guddada Mallaiah.

Legend had it that during eleventh century, the region was terrorised by a demon who killed people mercilessly. Heeding the prayers of the people, Guddada Mallaiah advised the demon to stop killing people and in return they would shed blood for him on the eve of Dasara.

The rituals begin on the hill top from midnight on Dasara day, with people offering a few drops of blood to the demon and prayers to Guddada Mallaiah and Mallamma idols, which would be brought to the hill top by Neraniki and Neraniki Tanda people in a palanquin. The rival group from Honnalli and Ellarthi villages would obstruct the procession, thus beginning the fight to win authority over the procession. The fight would continue till dawn. The winning group would get the right to take the palanquin to their village till next year's procession.

Unmindful of the bloodbath, the villagers claim it to be a 'Dharma Yuddha' and death due to heavy bleeding was considered 'Veera Marana' (heroic death). Survivors without any injury would be treated as heroes of the year.

Despite the loss of lives, no police case or any action has been taken against the participants. Only a makeshift hospital was provided by the Government to treat the injured people.

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