Over 50 people have been injured in the annual stick fight during the Indian festival of Banni on October 8.

The festival takes place at Devaragattu village on the eve of Dussehra, where thousands descend each year, carrying flaming torches and long sticks.

Around 100,000 people attended the event, most of whom were young men.

The festival involves a stick-fight where participants try and take possession of two deities, believing that it would bring prosperity to their village if they managed to bring any of the idols to their side.

Around 50 people were injured, at least four of them seriously, at an annual stick fight ritual in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district on Tuesday, as part of the local 'Banni' festival.

The festival takes place at Devaragattu village on the eve of Dussehra, where thousands descend each year, carrying flaming torches and long sticks. People from nearby villages in Andhra Pradesh and Bellary district in Karnataka also participate in the event.Around 1 00 Thousand people attended the event, most of whom were young men.

The festival, held in honor of the Mala Malleswara Swamy temple in the village, involves a stick-fight where participants try and take possession of two deities, believing that it would bring prosperity to their village if they managed to bring any of the idols to their side. The temple is owned and managed by the residents of Neraniki village who protect these deities.

However, the ritual has not been without controversy as several people get injured each year. Deaths have also been reported in the past due to severe injuries from the festivities, despite counseling from authorities and advisories against conducting the ritual.