Himachal Pradesh News: Everyone bows in front of the unique traditions of Devbhoomi Himachal Pradesh. One such tradition is being carried out in Dhami, about 30 kilometers from Himachal Pradesh's capital Shimla. This tradition, which started years ago in Dhami's Halog, is still being carried out today.

Every year a stone fair is organized in Dhami on the day after Diwali. Here two groups throw stones at each other until someone gets injured. After this, a Tilak of Maa Bhadrakali is applied with the blood of the injured person.

What is this age-old belief?

It is believed that during the reign of kings, there was a custom of human sacrifice in the Bhadrakali temple located in Dhami state. After the death of the king of the state, when the queen decided to commit sati, she ordered to stop the human sacrifice happening here.

After this, a buffalo was brought, its ear was cut off and it was left free and animal sacrifice was done symbolically to Mata Bhadrakali. It is said that this stone fair started when Mata did not accept animal sacrifice.

Shivam Sanju Rajput's mother's Tilak with blood 

This tradition was observed on Friday, a day after Diwali. For a long time, two groups pelted stones. During the stone pelting, a stone hit the head of a boy named Shivam Sanju Rajput. 30-year-old Shivam Sanju's blood was used to apply tilak to Maa Bhadrakali. Shivam Sanju Rajput said that he has been coming to participate in this stone fair for the past eight years. Due to the blessings of Maa Bhadrakali, this stone hit his head today. He considers himself very lucky. Shivam Sanju says that he does not feel scared at all in the stone fair, because he has the blessings of Maa with him.

A fair is organized for prosperity 

According to Kanwar Jagdeep Singh, a member of the royal family who has been carrying forward this unique tradition for years, this fair is organized for the prosperity of Dhami. People come from far and wide to see this fair. Till date, people participating in this fair do not care about getting hurt by stones. People consider bleeding in this stone fair as their good fortune. If a person bleeds, his Tilak is applied in the temple. The stone fair is organized for the peace and prosperity of the area.

When did this years old fair start?

Years ago, the mother's Tilak was performed after human sacrifice here, but with time it was changed. However, there is no confirmed information about since when this unique stone fair is being celebrated. No person coming from outside can participate in the stone fair.

There are only two groups in this stone fair. One group consists of the royal family, Dhagoi, Tundu, Katedu, Jathauti and the other group consists of Jamogi group. The royal family heir Jagdeep Singh said that after any of the two groups is hit by a stone, a green flag is shown. This is a signal to stop stone pelting.