Ancient stone-throwing ritual in Himachal Pradesh draws blood, devotion

SHIMLA — Residents of Halog in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla district observed the Dhami Stone Fair on the day following Diwali, continuing a custom passed down through generations. The ritual, known locally as the stone-throwing festival, involved two traditional groups engaging in an organized exchange of stones for approximately 20 minutes.

During the proceedings, Mahesh Verma of the Jamogi faction sustained an injury near his eye when struck by a stone. The blow drew blood, prompting immediate cessation of the festivities.

In a practice deeply rooted in the region's spiritual traditions, the blood from Verma's wound was subsequently used to apply a tilak, or ceremonial mark, on the forehead of Bhagwati Devi, the deity worshipped as Bhad Kali at the local shrine. The practice reflects the integration of unexpected occurrences into the ritualistic fabric of the celebration, where such incidents are viewed as part of the offering to the presiding goddess.

The Dhami Stone Fair remains one of Himachal Pradesh's distinctive cultural practices, blending elements of competition, community participation, and religious devotion. Despite the injury sustained during this year's observance, the event concluded as part of the broader Diwali-season festivities in the region.