Devotees had a mass brawl with sticks leaving 70 injured in India.

Footage shows the traditional stick fight among villagers, a central feature of the Banni Utsav, part of the Devara Gattu Festival held in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, on October 13.

The annual event, held on Dussehra night, saw rival groups from eight villages armed with sticks clash violently in a bid to claim their local deities' idols.

Officials reported that despite the deployment of around 800 police officers, the midnight celebration escalated into violence in the early hours of Sunday.

The injured received treatment in a local medical facility, with two individuals in serious condition at Adoni Area Hospital.

Thousands of devotees from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka attend this event each year, prompting public safety discussions.

While the Banni Utsav is considered an essential part of local tradition, its violent aspects have raised concerns. Officials report that residents are divided: some support the event's cultural significance, while others call for stricter measures to prevent future injuries.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to avoid further escalation.