It’s not paint, not colours and definitely not for the faint-hearted. In the small village of Gummatapura on the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu border, Diwali celebrations end not with fireworks but with a friendly cow-dung free-for-all known as Gorehabba. As drums beat, crowds cheer and villagers gleefully scoop up handfuls of dung to lob at one another. The centuries-old ritual, recently captured in a viral Al Jazeera video, has once again drawn a mix of awe, amusement and disbelief online.
Devotees believe cow dung has healing properties
The festival is observed on the fourth day of Diwali. Gorehabba is rooted in the local belief that god Beereshwara Swamy was born in cow dung. Many Hindus consider cow dung a sacred and purifying substance, often used as fuel, manure and even for disinfecting floors. “The god resides in it,” one local devotee, identified as Vrushabendra, stated in the video, claiming the ritual can protect against illness.
Dozens of villagers in Gummatapura, southern India, hurled cow dung at each other for the Gorehabba festival — a local ritual marking the end of Diwali.
Devotees believe their deity Beereshwara Swamy was born in cow excrement, which many Hindus consider sacred and purifying. pic.twitter.com/QmfCpWnebo
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 25, 2025
The festival draws tourists to witness the event
The event has steadily grown into an offbeat destination for travellers seeking unusual experiences. A US content creator, Tyler Oliveira, who posted a video on the event under the caption “Inside India’s Poop-Throwing Festival.” In Al Jazeera’s clip, Oliveira admitted he initially believed that the tradition was a myth. “I thought it was fiction. Now I am here, ready to see the poop fly,” he said laughingly.
Locals believe that cow dung has healing properties and participate enthusiastically as part of the tradition.
Social media reacts with mixed opinions
The video received many comments online. Some people supported the tradition, stating that cow dung has been useful for many things in Indian culture. One social media user wrote: “Cow dung in India isn’t just waste. It is also fuel, fertiliser and even a disinfectant.” Another user added, “Dung is not poop.” Others defended Indian innovation broadly, replying to Oliveira’s post with, “While you make AI poop videos, Indians file patents and build startups.”
On the other hand, some viewers were shocked. One comment said, “Dear god, imagine the smell”. Another wrote. “So strange it makes you laugh and wonder how people can turn filth into pride.”
Diwali, which is famously known as the festival of lights, lasts five days. Gummatapura’s cow dung fight, a local celebration, marks the conclusion of Diwali.
