Why villagers pelt each other with stones in Himachal's 400-year-old tradition

Dhami village in Himachal Pradesh observes a unique stone-pelting ritual called 'Patthar Ka Khel' after Diwali

SHIMLA: Stones fly, crowds gather and a few drops of blood become an offering to the goddess. Himachal Pradesh's Dhami village witnessed its annual 'Patthar Ka Khel', a nearly 400-year-old stone-pelting ritual celebrated on the day after Diwali.A large number of people gathered to witness the unusual tradition, in which two groups of villagers throw stones at each other until a participant sustains a minor injury.Following the ritual, a few drops of blood from the injured participant are offered to Goddess Bhadrakali as part of the centuries-old custom.

Why do villagers pelt each other with stones?

The tradition is believed to have originated as an alternative to human sacrifice, which was practised centuries ago to appease the deity.The ritual was associated with seeking protection from diseases, natural calamities and other misfortunes.Celebrated every year after Diwali, the nearly four-century-old practice continues to draw large crowds to Dhami, where villagers gather to participate in and witness the traditional ceremony.