7. The Bani Festival

Who knew worshiping deities could be so extreme. Communities throughout India know all about it. During the Bani festival, they honor the goddess Shiva by coming together and bashing their heads with clubs. And we’re not talking foam bats. They use lathis, the same kind used as batons by police.

Photo from Google

Lathis are bamboo sticks sometimes reinforced with iron. Villagers gather by the Devaragattu Temple in Kurnool, and use them to wack each other repeatedly. It’s done to commemorate the death of a demon at the hands of Shiva.

Covered in blood, some of the most die-hard worshipers keep on rocking to the break of dawn. Dozens of injuries are reported each year.

Photo from Google