Dhami (Himachal Pradesh), Nov 4 (IANS): An age-old tradition of pelting small stones at each other and smearing a 'tilak' on the forehead of Goddess Kali with the blood of the injured was held in this village, once the favourite hunting ground of the British.
Old-timers say in the 18th-century 'Patharon ka Mela' (festival of stones) male adults from Halog, the erstwhile capital of Dhami estate, and neighbouring village Jamog gathered here, 22 km from Shimla, and pelted small stones at each other.
They say getting injured is considered auspicious. This ritual began when human sacrifice to appease Goddess Kali was stopped by the erstwhile rulers of Dhami.
"Over 50 youths from both the villages participated in the ritual that lasted for not more than half an hour. The blood of the wounded was applied as a 'tilak' to the 'devi'," octogenarian Dharminder Singh told IANS.
According to the tradition, the stone pelting exercise takes place only between the residents of Halog and Jamog.
In this ritual, members of the royal family of the erstwhile princely state stood on one side, facing the villagers.
The locals, dressed in a new attire, lined the grassy slopes and pelted stones at the royal family members after the arrival of the deity of Nara Singh temple, housed in Dhami's palace, at the Kali Devi temple in the village.
Thousands of locals from neighbouring villages gathered here to witness the 'Patharon ka Mela'.
"On this day, we buy farm implements, which ensures round-the-year prosperity," said Reshma Devi, an octogenarian residing in Halog.
Earlier, the traders used to bring only farm implements, livestock and dry fruits to mark the ocassion. Now multinational companies come here every year to sell electronic goods, modern gadgets and luxury items, she added.
The local administration has been discouraging the villagers from participating in the ritual. It had set up makeshift medical camps to treat the injured.
Human rights activists have also sought a ban saying it amounted to cruelty against humans.