India Holds Annual Cow Dung-Throwing Festival

India Holds Annual Cow Dung-Throwing Festival

In the southern Indian village of Gummatapura, locals once again celebrated the ancient and unusual “Gorehabba” festival, which marks the end of the Diwali festivities.

During the event, villagers gather in the main square to pray, then joyfully throw cow dung at each other — a symbolic act believed to bring purification and blessings.

In Hindu tradition, the cow is considered sacred, and everything related to it, including its dung, is regarded as pure and auspicious. Thus, the festival is not merely a fun spectacle but also a spiritual ritual rooted in centuries-old beliefs.