04:35Hundreds of locals from the villages of Sawargaon and Pandhurna in Madhya Pradesh threw stones over the River Jaam at each other during the annual 'Gotmar' fair on Tuesday.
Footage shows the two sides flinging heavy rocks at each other, with spectators and emergency responders on hand. Some participants can also be seen receiving medical attention having been struck by projectiles.
Local Pradeep Omkar explained that participants from both sides do battle over a flag placed on the top of a tree in the middle of the river, while people on the opposing sides pelt them with rocks.
"One side hoists the flag, while the other side tries to cut down the tree along with the flag, taking it away," he explained, noting that 'local government goes to great lengths to arrange this event'. Omkar said that Gotmar is 'ancient', dating back 200-400 years.
Fellow rock-throwing enthusiast Devilas Moharkar touched on the history of the tradition.
"It is celebrated in the name of Chandni Mata. Chandni Mata has such an impact on people that they wait for her all year long. Locals can't wait to get on the battleground and see how the stones are thrown," he said.
However, indiscriminately hurling rocks at crowds of people is not without an element of danger.
"In the past, people have lost their lives during this event. Some are fatally injured. Some even lost their limbs. There are a lot of injuries during the stone pelting. At least 600-700 people get injured every year," added Mokarkar.
He also noted that while the local government set up a medical tent to treat the wounded, some participants prefer traditional medicine.
"Participants believe that if they get the ointment made of sacred powder from the temple, their minor injuries will be cured. So there is no need for them to go to the doctor," concluded Mokarkar.
According to local reports, over 200 people were injured at this year's stoning, 24 of them critically.
Celebrated the day after Bhadrapada Amavasya, an auspicious day dedicated to honouring ancestors, the traditional rock-throwing can be traced back about 300 years.
Stone it down! Rock-hurling battle at Madhya Pradesh's Gotmar fair leaves hundreds injured, dozens critically
Hundreds of locals from the villages of Sawargaon and Pandhurna in Madhya Pradesh threw stones over the River Jaam at each other during the annual 'Gotmar' fair on Tuesday.
Footage shows the two sides flinging heavy rocks at each other, with spectators and emergency responders on hand. Some participants can also be seen receiving medical attention having been struck by projectiles.
Local Pradeep Omkar explained that participants from both sides do battle over a flag placed on the top of a tree in the middle of the river, while people on the opposing sides pelt them with rocks.
"One side hoists the flag, while the other side tries to cut down the tree along with the flag, taking it away," he explained, noting that 'local government goes to great lengths to arrange this event'. Omkar said that Gotmar is 'ancient', dating back 200-400 years.
Fellow rock-throwing enthusiast Devilas Moharkar touched on the history of the tradition.
"It is celebrated in the name of Chandni Mata. Chandni Mata has such an impact on people that they wait for her all year long. Locals can't wait to get on the battleground and see how the stones are thrown," he said.
However, indiscriminately hurling rocks at crowds of people is not without an element of danger.
"In the past, people have lost their lives during this event. Some are fatally injured. Some even lost their limbs. There are a lot of injuries during the stone pelting. At least 600-700 people get injured every year," added Mokarkar.
He also noted that while the local government set up a medical tent to treat the wounded, some participants prefer traditional medicine.
"Participants believe that if they get the ointment made of sacred powder from the temple, their minor injuries will be cured. So there is no need for them to go to the doctor," concluded Mokarkar.
According to local reports, over 200 people were injured at this year's stoning, 24 of them critically.
Celebrated the day after Bhadrapada Amavasya, an auspicious day dedicated to honouring ancestors, the traditional rock-throwing can be traced back about 300 years.
Hundreds of locals from the villages of Sawargaon and Pandhurna in Madhya Pradesh threw stones over the River Jaam at each other during the annual 'Gotmar' fair on Tuesday.
Footage shows the two sides flinging heavy rocks at each other, with spectators and emergency responders on hand. Some participants can also be seen receiving medical attention having been struck by projectiles.
Local Pradeep Omkar explained that participants from both sides do battle over a flag placed on the top of a tree in the middle of the river, while people on the opposing sides pelt them with rocks.
"One side hoists the flag, while the other side tries to cut down the tree along with the flag, taking it away," he explained, noting that 'local government goes to great lengths to arrange this event'. Omkar said that Gotmar is 'ancient', dating back 200-400 years.
Fellow rock-throwing enthusiast Devilas Moharkar touched on the history of the tradition.
"It is celebrated in the name of Chandni Mata. Chandni Mata has such an impact on people that they wait for her all year long. Locals can't wait to get on the battleground and see how the stones are thrown," he said.
However, indiscriminately hurling rocks at crowds of people is not without an element of danger.
"In the past, people have lost their lives during this event. Some are fatally injured. Some even lost their limbs. There are a lot of injuries during the stone pelting. At least 600-700 people get injured every year," added Mokarkar.
He also noted that while the local government set up a medical tent to treat the wounded, some participants prefer traditional medicine.
"Participants believe that if they get the ointment made of sacred powder from the temple, their minor injuries will be cured. So there is no need for them to go to the doctor," concluded Mokarkar.
According to local reports, over 200 people were injured at this year's stoning, 24 of them critically.
Celebrated the day after Bhadrapada Amavasya, an auspicious day dedicated to honouring ancestors, the traditional rock-throwing can be traced back about 300 years.