Preserving heritage: Himachal's Dhami youth carry forward centuries-old legacy of stone pelting

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], November 1 : The centuries-old tradition of stone-pelting, performed to appease Goddess Kali in Dhami village of Himachal Pradesh clung to its unique past to celebrate the "Stone-Pelting Fair."
Held at Dhami village, nearly 40 kilometres from the Himachal Pradesh capital, Shimla, this fair draws thousands of people from neighbouring villages to witness and participate in a ritual that is both culturally significant and deeply rooted in local history.
The organizers have kept the four-century-old tradition alive. The young generation wants to promote and carry forward the rich culture and tradition.
The fair represents a blend of cultural heritage and spiritual faith, aiming to preserve the customs of bygone generations. What began as a way to end the practice of human sacrifice has evolved into an annual ritual where villagers participate in a symbolic stone-pelting event.
"It is a centuries-old tradition, and we feel proud to continue and preserve it," said Jagdeep Singh, a representative of the Dhami royal family.
"This fair reflects our faith in God and the goddess, and we want to carry this forward, teaching our children about its significance," Singh explained that the practice originated when villagers decided to end human sacrifices to appease the local deity by instead offering a drop of blood through a controlled injury during stone pelting.
The younger generation of the royal family feels very happy to carry forward here the young boy of the royal family and son of Jagdip Singh. Ananjay Singh feels happy and wants to promote and preserve the rich tradition.
"This tradition is rich which I have been witnessing since my childhood. My father has continued and carried forward my grandfather's legacy, I would like to promote and carry forward this rich tradition here. I feel happy to be a part of this festival and unique tradition and culture," said Ananjay Singh, the young man of the Royal family.
The royal family and local authorities work together to ensure that no one is seriously injured, while symbolic offerings of blood are seen as a way to honour the goddess without causing harm. This balance between safety and tradition has helped keep the ritual alive for nearly 400 years.
The ritual pits villagers from the Jathoti, Tunru, Dhagogi, and Karedu clans on one side, against members of the Jamogi clan on the other. In a controlled setting, they throw stones at each other until someone sustains a minor injury, which is seen as a sacred offering.
"This has been organized here for over 400 years, and as a priest, I am part of the third generation to serve here," said Devender Kumar, the royal family's priest. "We offer prayers to Lord Narsingh, and when a stone hits someone, that drop of blood is offered to Goddess Bhadrakali," Devender Kumar added.

The event, held each year on the day after Diwali, begins with a prayer procession from a temple built by a former king of Dhami, followed by the ritual stone pelting. According to Kumar, only members of the royal family and designated village warriors participate in the main ceremony, while spectators gather to witness the event from a safe distance.
The Dhami Stone-Pelting Fair is not only a display of devotion but has also become a cultural attraction that draws attention from far beyond Himachal Pradesh. By passing down stories of the fair's origin and its evolution from a ritual of human sacrifice to a symbolic event, villagers aim to educate younger generations and visitors about the significance of this rare tradition. The event stands as a reminder of the village's commitment to preserving its unique heritage.
For the people of Dhami, the Stone-Pelting Fair is more than just an event; it is a cherished piece of their history, an expression of their faith, and a legacy they are proud to uphold.

Organizers ensure participants follow safety guidelines, and the ritual is closely monitored to prevent serious injuries. The sense of tradition is strong among the villagers, who see the event as a meaningful way to connect with their heritage.
"We are proud to carry on this tradition," said Kanwar, "and we work hard to keep it both safe and respectful of our ancestors' intentions," he added further.
The fair's roots stretch back to a time when human sacrifices were made to honour Goddess Bhadrakali, whom villagers believed would protect their lands and bring prosperity. However, the practice was halted centuries ago by a compassionate Dhami queen who sought to end the suffering.
"The queen sacrificed herself to put a stop to human offerings, asking villagers to continue the ritual in a less harmful form. Thus, the tradition of stone pelting was born," shared Ranjeet Singh Kanwar, the secretary of the organizing committee.
Kanwar has overseen the event's preparations for 45 years and emphasized that the fair embodies an effort to preserve tradition and resist superstition while ensuring safety for all participants.