Banni festival

28.10.2023

Banni festival , Daily Current Affairs , RACE IAS : Best IAS Coaching in Lucknow 

Why in the news?

Recently, three people lost their lives and more than a hundred were injured in the traditional Banni festival at Devaragattu in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh

About the Banni festival:

• It is an unusual festival celebrated in Andhra Pradesh.
• Banni actually refers to a mock fight for capturing the idols during the Banni festival.
• It is a traditional stick-fight.
• It is celebrated on the night of Dussehra celebration (Vijaya Dasami) every year.
• The objective of this event was to snatch the idols from God's team, leading to a fierce battle known as the Banni Fight.
• This festival was celebrated by people under the Vijayanagara Empire.
• It is celebrated on account of the victory of Lord Mala Malleswara Swamy and Goddess Parvati over demonish Mani and Mallasura, who troubled the people in the Devaragattu region.
• The Supreme Court had put a ban on this festival in 2008, but the ritual has continued to be held over the years.

Rituals

• The ritual takes place at midnight when the procession of idols of the ruling deities Malamma (Parvati) and Malleshwara Swamy (Shiva) are brought down the hill temple at Neraneki.
• Devotees carry long sticks or lathis with them for hitting each other with these sticks on the head.
• The basic idea of this fight is to capture the procession idol.

About Vijayanagara Empire:

• The Vijayanagara Empire, also called Karnata Kingdom, was based in the Deccan Plateau region in South India.
• It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, members of a pastoralist cowherd community that claimed Yadava lineage.

Governance:

• The rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire maintained the administrative methods developed by their predecessors, the Hoysala, Kakatiya and Pandya kingdoms.
• The King, ministry, territory, fort, treasury, military, and ally formed the seven critical elements that influenced every aspect of governance.
• The King was the ultimate authority, assisted by a cabinet of ministers (Pradhana) headed by the prime minister (Mahapradhana).
• Other important titles recorded were the chief secretary (Karyakartha or Rayaswami) and the imperial officers (Adhikari).
• All high-ranking ministers and officers were required to have military training.
• A secretariat near the king’s palace employed scribes and officers to maintain records made official by using a wax seal imprinted with the ring of the king.

Inscriptions:

• Bitragunta inscription is the major source for construction of family history of sangama dynasty.
• Srirangam copper plates of Devaraya II provide the genealogy and achievements of Vijayanagar rulers.
• Various copper plate inscriptions of krishnadevraya time.
• The Hampi ruins and other monuments of Vijayanagar provide information on the cultural contributions of the Vijayanagar rulers.

Geography of Andhra Pradesh

• It has three physiological regions: the coastal plains, the mountain ranges, and the plateau.
• It is situated near the Bay of Bengal at 12°41' and 22°N latitude and 77° and 84°40'E longitude.
• It shares its border with Tamil Nadu in the south, Karnataka in the west, Chattisgarh & Maharashtra in the north and Orissa in the north-east. On its east, the Bay of Bengal renders the cool breeze to this state.
•  The state is rich in  fauna due to its richness of forests and water resources.
• The primary source of the state’s economy is Agriculture and rice is the main crop of agricultural products.
• Due to the high production of rice in Andhra Pradesh, it is also known as the rice bowl of India.

Rivers of Andhra Pradesh

• Krishna, Godavari and Pennar are the major rivers of Andhra Pradesh along with several smaller rivers and water resources of the state.
• Godavari is the second largest river of India after Ganges.
• Krishna River with a length of around 1300 Km, is the third largest river in central- southern India.

Wildlife and Bird Sanctuaries    

• Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger reserve (India’s largest Tiger Reserve).
• Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary (India’s second-largest lagoon; Largest is Chilka).
• Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
• Kondakarla Bird Sanctuary
• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (Mangrove forests)
• Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Atapaka Bird Sanctuary – Kolleru Lake
• Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary.

Source:The Hindu