Throwing cow dung: Diwali celebrations take an unusual turn in southern India

Locals and tourists gather in the southern Indian hamlet of Gumatapura to mark an unusual tradition, a festival of throwing cow dung. Centuries old, the Gori Habba ritual honours Lord Birishwara, a god worshipped locally who was believed to be born in cow dung. Right now, they are in the north. He was found in the heap of cow dung. He self-manifested and wished that the festival, called Gori Habba, should be celebrated every year, and that's why we celebrate this festival. Yeah, I'm starting to go. The ceremony begins early in the morning, with villagers collecting cow dung from around the village and unloading it near the temple. Then there is a ceremonial procession, where a man dressed as a demon rides a donkey to the temple. And a bullock cart loaded with dung and decorated with flowers and plantain leaves is offered prayers. After that, the dung hurling begins. Celebrated on the third day of Diwali, the festival attracts tourists from near and far. I always want to discover new things and see new things, and I learned about the festival from some classmates back in my university in Delhi. For those who take part, the tradition is as much about the perceived health benefits as it is about having fun. Cow dung is considered sacred in Hinduism, and locals believe the practice can ward off illness and cure diseases.