After Japan, the strangest and most mysterious country is probably India.
In every Indian state, the Marathi New Year is celebrated in its own way. However, as a rule, such celebrations are not complete without a battle with cow dung. The festival is held on the first day of the month of Chaitra according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
Every year, the villagers of Kairuppala village in Andhra Pradesh, India, take part in an epic battle where dry cow dung plays the role of shells. Although dozens of wounded remain after the battle, locals are confident that this tradition brings them good health and prosperity. Timed to coincide with the Hindu New Year.
The photo shows hundreds of residents of an Indian village. The footage below shows how Indians crowding in the square attack each other with balls of sacred animal dung. "Bombs" fly with great speed, people cover their heads with their hands, but the battle ends with songs and dances.
Oddly enough, the korovyak battle is held in honor of the marriage between the gods Shiva and the goddess Bhadrakali.
The choice of weapons for people is carried out by the goddess Bhadrakali and these are special cakes made of cow dung. According to tradition, battles take place after the local spring festival or the Ugadi holidays. Dried cow dung is used in a playful battle. There are two sides in the struggle, one group throws cow dung in the name of the goddess Bhadrakali and the others (others) do it in the name of Lord Shiva.
Promotional video:
The fight ends after the dry cakes are broken into small pieces or turned into powder. The Virabadra Temple of Swami, attracts thousands of people from different parts of the state, who look with enthusiasm at the event for several hours, sitting on the top of the building.
The important role of manure in India
India is not a rich country. You could even say poor. Straight at all. This is one of the reasons why Western downshifters come here for enlightenment - you can be enlightened for a long time on the unemployment benefits they receive at home. At the same time, the Indians are still not stupid people (of course, they invented chess!) And figured out how to save money well.
"What do we have a lot?" they thought - “Cows! And what do cows produce in excess? Manure!"
So manure became an important source of fuel for the Indian hinterland. Fortunately, the country is full of it - people who say that goodness does not lie on the street just like that, obviously have not been to India. Manure is one of the reasons why cows are so revered in the country. This is one of the most important things a cow gives to the farm.
Dry cow dung in India is called gomaia (and in Russia - "dung"). It has a relatively low burning temperature, which is very suitable in Indian cuisine, where curry or rice must be simmered for hours. This fuel is very suitable for local hostesses. After all, such a fire can be left unattended and go to do some other business. There is no need to fear that the food will burn or run away.
People specially collect cow dung - often in the villages it is the responsibility of children. In some regions, this is done so carefully that the farm collects almost 100% of all dung produced by cows.
Special people knead it with their hands right on the street. To be honest, I don’t know why this is done, but I would not put this activity in the Top-10 list of my dream jobs. Then flat cakes are made from it. It seems that you need to have some experience in order for them to turn out correctly.
Ready cakes are laid out on the street to dry. These concrete ones are laid out in the very center of Delhi, near the main station. They do not dry for long - a few hours and everything is ready. Next to any self-respecting home there will be a pile of such cakes, ready to use.
On this manure, not only food is prepared, but sometimes the premises are heated.