In this clip filmed on April 14, thousands of Indian villagers hurl cow dung cakes at each other as part of the Ugadi celebrations to usher in the New Year.

The cake fight tradition, which is known as "Pidakala Samaram", took place at ​the Kairuppala village amid COVID-19 restrictions in the country. Participants weren't wearing masks or complying with social distancing rules.

India has been the world's worst-hit country since April 2. The daily virus infections have crossed 200,000.

Devotees believe that the practice brings health, prosperity, and rain to the villages. During the ritual, which lasts for half an hour, at least 50 people were injured however, no one opted for medical treatment.

At Kairuppala village in the Aspari Mandal, people usher in the New Year with ‘Pidakala Samaram’ as part of which they fight by hurling cow dung cakes on each other. During the celebrations, thousands of villagers split into two groups of devotees representing families of Veerabhadra Swamy and Kalikadevi to beat each other, hurling cow dung cakes as part of the Ugadi celebrations in connection with the mythology behind the marriage.

The ritual lasts for half an hour and often minor injuries are reported among those taking part. Devotees believe that the practice brings health, prosperity, and rain to the villages. This year around 50 people got injured,but no one opted for any medical treatment.Any injuries or aches and pains suffered during the fight would be gone in three days by applying 'Tilak' of Lord Veerabhadraswamy on their forehead.

Covid rules were flouted in the event and devotees were seen without masks and social distancing. India added over 200.000 new Covid cases today, an unprecedented figure, to take its count to over 10 million. India has been the world's worst-hit country since April 2, forcing states scrambling to impose curbs to control the virus. With 1,038 people dying in the same time span, the total fatalities rose to 1,73,123 in India.