From the archive record
Devotees from South India gather at Devaragattu to celebrate Bani festival. Some of them playing flute, pellet drum etc. Devotees also break coconut and offer coconut water to the God. Women also tie clothes on religious tree so their wishes can come true soon. While Vijayadasami is celebrated with religious fervour all over, thousands of persons of Nerani thanda and Kothapet and adjoining villages resort to a fierce stick fight called Banni utsavam around midnight on Vijayadasami festival in Devaragattu village in Holagunda mandal in Kurnool district that leaves hundreds with bleeding injuries year after year. The Banni fete is held as part of festivities of Sri Mala Malleswara Swamy temple, situated atop an 800 feet high hillock. According to a legend, two demons Mani and Mallasura lived