04:40Dozens of devotees were injured on Monday during the Devidhura Bagwal Mela, a traditional stone-throwing festival in Champawat district, India. The event, held in front of the Varahi Devi temple in Uttarakhand, saw thousands of worshippers in traditional costumes throwing objects at each other.
Renu, a visitor to the festival, commented, "I came to Devidhura temple with my whole family. This festival occurs every year on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. It occurs in four groups in which stones are thrown at each other and that goddess accepts human blood."
Despite a recent court ruling encouraging the use of fruit and flowers instead of stones to reduce injuries, many participants continued to throw stones, leading to numerous injuries. Injured attendees were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Medical student Yogita Panday added, "In earlier times humans sacrificed for it but now it's converted to this event. Many devotees played the games and threw stones at each other and when they hit each other then they bled about four to five litre which is equal to the normal human beings' blood."
The Devidhura Bagwal Mela, dating back to at least the sixth century, was originally a ritual involving human sacrifice but has since transformed into a stone-pelting event. The festival, which attracts tourists from across India and beyond, continues to see injuries as part of its cultural practice.
'Goddess accepts human blood' - Dozens injured in traditional stone-throwing festival in India *DISTRESSING CONTENT*
Dozens of devotees were injured on Monday during the Devidhura Bagwal Mela, a traditional stone-throwing festival in Champawat district, India. The event, held in front of the Varahi Devi temple in Uttarakhand, saw thousands of worshippers in traditional costumes throwing objects at each other.
Renu, a visitor to the festival, commented, "I came to Devidhura temple with my whole family. This festival occurs every year on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. It occurs in four groups in which stones are thrown at each other and that goddess accepts human blood."
Despite a recent court ruling encouraging the use of fruit and flowers instead of stones to reduce injuries, many participants continued to throw stones, leading to numerous injuries. Injured attendees were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Medical student Yogita Panday added, "In earlier times humans sacrificed for it but now it's converted to this event. Many devotees played the games and threw stones at each other and when they hit each other then they bled about four to five litre which is equal to the normal human beings' blood."
The Devidhura Bagwal Mela, dating back to at least the sixth century, was originally a ritual involving human sacrifice but has since transformed into a stone-pelting event. The festival, which attracts tourists from across India and beyond, continues to see injuries as part of its cultural practice.
Dozens of devotees were injured on Monday during the Devidhura Bagwal Mela, a traditional stone-throwing festival in Champawat district, India. The event, held in front of the Varahi Devi temple in Uttarakhand, saw thousands of worshippers in traditional costumes throwing objects at each other.
Renu, a visitor to the festival, commented, "I came to Devidhura temple with my whole family. This festival occurs every year on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. It occurs in four groups in which stones are thrown at each other and that goddess accepts human blood."
Despite a recent court ruling encouraging the use of fruit and flowers instead of stones to reduce injuries, many participants continued to throw stones, leading to numerous injuries. Injured attendees were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Medical student Yogita Panday added, "In earlier times humans sacrificed for it but now it's converted to this event. Many devotees played the games and threw stones at each other and when they hit each other then they bled about four to five litre which is equal to the normal human beings' blood."
The Devidhura Bagwal Mela, dating back to at least the sixth century, was originally a ritual involving human sacrifice but has since transformed into a stone-pelting event. The festival, which attracts tourists from across India and beyond, continues to see injuries as part of its cultural practice.