In the southern Indian village of Kairuppala, an annual event called the Pidakala War takes place, where hundreds of people engage in a ritualistic battle by throwing cow dung at each other. This peculiar event is believed to bring about health, prosperity, and rainfall in the villages.

The ritual comprises two groups fighting in the name of their respective deities - the first group fights for Goddess Bhadrakali, and the second for Lord Veerabhadraswamy.

Year after year, the Pidakala War draws many injuries, but the tradition continues to thrive. Despite the high risk of injury during the ritual, many participants do not seek medical treatment. Instead, they opt to apply ash on their wounds.

The Pidakala War is organized a day after Ugadi in this village in the Kurnool district. People from Kairuppala and neighboring villages throw pidakala or cow-dung cakes at each other. Andhra Pradesh’s Kairuppala village resounds with the thwack and tang of flying cow dung.

The symbolic war occurs over a mythological marriage dispute. There are two sides to the battle, one group of fighters (of castes such as Golla and Kammara) throw cow dung in the name of Goddess Bhadrakali and the others (the rest) do so in the name of Lord Veerabhadraswamy. Finally, they all celebrate the wedding of Goddess Bhadrakali with Lord Veerabhadraswamy.

Every year many get injured in this ritual. But none will seek any medical treatment or even apply first aid, instead, they apply the ash on their wound. Devotees believe that the practice brings health, prosperity, and rain to the villages. It is believed any injuries or aches and pains suffered during the fight would be gone in three days by applying the 'Tilak' of Lord Veerabhadraswamy on their forehead.