Dhami Stone Throwing Fair Revives Centuries Old Blood Tilak Tradition at Halog The Day After Diwali Villagers in Halog near Shimla prepare for their annual post Diwali stone pitching ritual, where squads clash to draw blood for Goddess Bhadrakali, continuing a historical replacement for human sacrifice. While communities across India celebrate the immediate aftermath of Diwali, a striking and centuries-old ritual is set to unfold in the hills of Himachal Pradesh. Located about 26 kilometers from the state capital Shimla, the village of Halog in the Dhami region is making preparations for its historic stone festival, locally known as Patthar Mela. Held on the day right after Diwali, this gathering features two opposing squads of villagers facing off across an open field, hurling stones directly at one another in a disciplined ritual duel. Far from a spontaneous public dispute, this contest is a deeply sacred ritual tied to local folklore and royal heritage. The central belief governing the event is that the very first participant struck by a stone, from whose body blood flows, provides the sacred offering for the community. That person's blood is collected to apply a ceremonial blood tilak to the idol of Goddess Bhadrakali. Regarded as an essential symbol of regional heritage, the event is being organized once again this year with extensive community participation. Royal Deities Worshipped Before the Contest Begins The entire program commences with strict religious ceremonies directed by the descendants of the erstwhile Dhami royal line. The proceedings open with dedicated prayers to the village guardian deity, Dev Kurgun. Following this, the community gathers to worship Lord Narsingh, offering prayers for general peace, protection against calamity, and regional prosperity. Only after the completion of these sacred recitations does the royal family formally trigger the contest. A representative of the royal house casts the first ceremonial stone across the field, which serves as the official signal for both sides to launch their volley of stones. Clash of the Traditional Khund Squads The participants in this annual exchange belong to traditional fighting lineages known as khunds, representing ancestral warrior units. On one flank stands the Dhami royal house contingent, supported by squads hailing from Dhagoi, Jathouti, Katedu, and Tunsu. Taking the opposite side of the field is the Jamogi khund. As the two groups exchange stones, spectators watch intently for the deciding moment. The contest ceases immediately the instant anyone is injured and bleeds. Strikingly, participants who sustain cuts never complain of physical pain or distress; instead, they consider themselves immensely fortunate to have shed blood in service of the divine ritual. Replacing Human Sacrifice with a Symbolic Mark The custom of applying a blood mark to Goddess Bhadrakali stems from a major historical shift within the Dhami princely realm. According to regional oral history, the area once observed an ancient custom of human sacrifice to appease the deity and secure peace and protection from natural disasters. A former queen of the princely estate strongly opposed this lethal practice and intervened to ban human sacrifice outright. In its place, she established the ritual of offering a simple mark of human blood drawn through a controlled ritual contest. Since that royal reform, the community has sustained the stone fair to uphold the spirit of protection and piety without taking human life. Sporting Spirit and Devotion Drive the Contest Explaining the significance of the event, Jagdeep Singh, a descendant of the Dhami royal family, emphasized that the stone throwing involves no personal vendetta or malice. He stated that the participants step onto the field guided by sportsmanship and respect for ancestral custom rather than hostility. According to Jagdeep Singh, the core objective remains honoring religious commitments without resorting to human sacrifice, while seeking general welfare and abundance for the land. For the residents, the gathering represents a vital touchstone of their cultural identity, princely past, and unwavering reverence for local deities. Large Crowds and Strict Traffic Controls The fair attracts heavy footfall every year, with local youth and families from Halog and surrounding hamlets converging to witness the unique spectacle. The intense energy of the traditional warrior squads makes it one of the most talked-about events in the area. Given the obvious hazards of stones flying through the air and the large assembly, authorities enforce strict movement curbs. During the festivities, vehicular traffic along the Dhami-Shimla and Dhami-Halog routes is tightly monitored or temporarily halted. Blending princely history, religious reverence, and communal solidarity, the Halog stone fair remains one of the most distinctive cultural practices across Himachal Pradesh. What this means for you This annual festival directly influences local travel routes around Shimla while offering a rare window into the living folk traditions of Himachal Pradesh. • In Shimla and Dhami: Traffic on the connecting roads between Dhami, Shimla, and Halog is strictly regulated or shut down during the event hours. Commuters and holiday travelers passing through the area the day after Diwali must plan for diversions and travel delays. • For local villagers: Residents across Halog and adjacent settlements experience a major community gathering celebrating ancestral solidarity. Families assemble to witness the ritual stone throwing and uphold historical ties linked to their former princely state. • For cultural observers: The event provides researchers and travelers with an authentic look at how ancient customs survived by replacing human sacrifice with symbolic bloodletting. It remains a prime example of communal folklore persevering in modern times. • For festival visitors: Spectators arriving at the venue are required to adhere to marked boundary lines to stay clear of falling stones. Local management enforces safety protocols around the contest perimeter to ensure the crowd remains unharmed. Why this happened The ritual stone battle of Halog emerged from a profound historical and moral reform within the former princely state of Dhami. It originated not from civil conflict, but from a deliberate intervention to end human sacrifice. • Abolition of human sacrifice: Centuries ago, the region practiced human sacrifice to safeguard the realm and avert natural calamities. A local queen strongly objected to the taking of human life and successfully abolished the lethal custom. • Institution of symbolic blood offering: To maintain the religious tradition without killing anyone, the community adopted the practice of offering a small amount of blood to Goddess Bhadrakali. The first drop of blood drawn during a traditional stone contest was chosen as the sacred offering. • Sanctification by royal rites: The contest begins only after formal prayers to village deity Dev Kurgun and Lord Narsingh have been completed. The first stone thrown by the royal family establishes the encounter strictly as a sanctioned ritual rather than public violence. • Involvement of ancestral warrior squads: Participating squads, known as khunds, treat their presence on the field as a duty inherited from their forebears. They participate strictly in a spirit of devotion and sport, with the contest ending the second blood appears. Questions & Answers 1. When does the Dhami stone fair take place? The fair is held every year on the day immediately following Diwali in the village of Halog. 2. Where is the Patthar Mela organized? It takes place in Halog village within the Dhami area, roughly 26 kilometers away from Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. 3. What is done with the blood of the injured participant? Blood drawn from the first person struck by a stone is collected to apply a ceremonial blood tilak to Goddess Bhadrakali. 4. Which groups face off during the stone throwing? The contest pits the Dhami royal squad alongside teams from Dhagoi, Jathouti, Katedu, and Tunsu against the Jamogi khund. 5. How is the stone throwing contest inaugurated? After ritual prayers to Dev Kurgun and Lord Narsingh, a representative of the Dhami royal lineage casts the first stone. 6. At what point does the stone battle conclude? The exchange ends immediately the moment any participant is hit and blood begins to flow. 7. What is the historical origin of the blood tilak ritual? The practice replaced an ancient tradition of human sacrifice after an erstwhile queen intervened to outlaw it. https://trendkia.com/en/himachal-pradesh/halog-men-man-bhadrakali-ko-raktatilaka-ki-sadiyon-purani-rita-diwali-ke-agale-dina-amane-samane-honge-do-parnparika-dala-56806 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.