Wildest Diwali in India? Why two groups throw stones at each other the day after Himachal festival: Know about the tradition | Today’s news
While Diwali celebrations across India are associated with diyas, fireworks, sweets and family gatherings, a village in Himachal Pradesh is celebrating the festival with a centuries-old ritual that involves something a little unusual – throwing stones between two groups of people.
On Monday, a day after Diwali was celebrated on Sunday, hundreds of people gathered at Halog village in Dhami near Shimla to witness the traditional ‘Pathar Mela’ or ‘Patharon Ka Khel’. The unusual annual event involves two groups throwing rocks at each other, with the ritual ending only when the participant is injured and blood is drawn.
The blood is then used to apply a ceremonial tilak to the goddess Bhadrakali, according to local religious tradition. The practice, believed to be about 300 to 400 years old, is associated with the erstwhile princely state of Dhami and its royal family.
Why are two groups throwing stones at each other in Himachal Pradesh?
The unusual ritual is rooted in local belief that it developed as an alternative to human sacrifice, which was allegedly practiced in the former princely state of Dhami to appease the goddess.
According to popular local legend, Queen Dhami wanted to end the practice of human sacrifice. She is believed to have introduced the stone-throwing ritual as an alternative in which the blood of the injured participant would be offered to the goddess instead.
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The official website of the Shimla district administration also mentions the historical belief behind the fair, stating that a human sacrifice was once offered to the goddess Kali at the site where the event now takes place. It records the tradition of collecting blood from injuries sustained during a stone-throwing competition and offering it to the deity.
However, the story of the queen and the transition from human sacrifice to today’s ritual is based more on local folklore and religious belief than on independently proven historical evidence.
Which two groups participate in the tradition of stone throwing?
The ritual traditionally involves two groups known as Jamogi and Katedu. The Katedu group is associated with the Dhami royal family and includes people from Tundu, Dhagoi and Bathmana among others. The Jamogi group includes residents of Jamogi, Janiya, Plania, Kothi, Chaiyan and Okhra, according to a Live Hindustan report.
The ceremony begins with traditional prayers and religious ceremonies. Participants will take up positions on opposite sides of the designated field before the start of the stone throwing competition.
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The process is also said to include worship at the Narasimha Maharaj Temple and other local religious rituals before the procession moves to the designated location.
How did Pathar Mela end in 2026?
According to the report, the stone-throwing ritual continued for approximately 25 minutes.
The competition ended after Mahesh Verma, a member of the Jamogi group, suffered an injury on his face. His blood was subsequently used for the traditional tilak ceremony at the temple of Goddess Bhadrakali.
Verma was given primary medical treatment after completing the ritual, the report said. Thousands of people reportedly gathered to witness the annual event.
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The conclusion of the ritual is considered significant because the collection of blood fulfills a traditional religious requirement. Once the tilak ceremony is complete, stone throwing stops.
What happens after the stone throwing ritual?
The atmosphere at the venue will change after the competition is over. Traditional music, drums, dancing and celebrations follow the ritual, which brings together participants, villagers and visitors.
The fair is not only a religious celebration but also an opportunity for people from neighboring villages and other parts of Shimla to meet and preserve the tradition passed down from generation to generation.
Despite its cultural and religious significance to local residents, the practice has also raised concerns about the safety of participants and the use of human blood in religious rituals. In October 2014, more than a dozen people sustained injuries during the Pathar Mela, with one participant seriously injured, according to a PTI report. The district administration has taken measures to prevent any major mishap.
However, the participants and organizers defended the tradition. In a 2025 report, The Tribune quoted injured participant Subhash as saying, “The mela is a symbol of our faith and we don’t care if we have to shed our blood to continue the tradition.”
