The Day After Diwali Is Stone-Pelting Day In This Himachal Village, Tilak In Blood Among Rituals – News18
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This unusual celebration, involving local participants engaging in a spirited stone-pelting contest, commenced at 2 PM on Friday, November 1.
The Stone Game involves participants throwing stones at each other.
A distinctive and historic event known as the Stone Game takes place in Himachal Pradesh’s Halog Dhami village, situated 26 kilometres from the capital, Shimla, on the day after Diwali every year. This unusual celebration, steeped in tradition, involves local participants engaging in a spirited stone-pelting contest, and commenced at 2 PM on Friday, November 1.
The origins of this unique fair trace back centuries and are linked to the royal family of the former Dhami state. Participants, referred to as khundos – local groups or gangs – take part in this extraordinary spectacle.
The tradition begins with the royal family throwing the first stone, prompting an enthusiastic exchange of stones between the two sides. The vigourous stone pelting continues until someone is injured, often resulting in bloodshed.
Notably, the blood drawn during this event is used to apply a tilak, or ceremonial mark, to Goddess Bhadrakali, symbolising the community’s connection to their faith and traditions.
The fair, which has been a yearly highlight, attracts large crowds. In 2023, participants Akshay Verma from Jathoti and Dalip Verma from Jamogi both sustained injuries during the event, and their blood was ceremonially used to honour the goddess in her temple.
For safety and to facilitate the festivities, vehicular traffic was halted on the Dhami-Shimla and Dhami-Galog roads during the fair.
Historically, the fair has its roots in darker customs, including human sacrifice, which was once performed to ensure peace and prosperity in the region. However, this practice was replaced centuries ago by a queen of the Dhami royal family, who instituted the ritual of blood tilak, allowing the tradition to continue in a safer manner. This change not only preserved the essence of the event but also reflected a shift towards more humane practices. The queen later became known for her steadfastness and devotion, ultimately earning the title of Sati.
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