Every year, a day after Diwali, villagers in Himachal Pradesh gather for a festival that looks more like a fight than a celebration. Two groups face each other and throw stones until someone is injured and starts bleeding. The blood is then offered to a local goddess as part of a centuries-old ritual.
Known as Patthar Ka Khel, or the Stone Fair, the tradition takes place in Dhami village, near Shimla. It is believed to be around 400 years old and is linked to the region's former princely state.
But why do villagers participate in a ritual that involves deliberately injuring one another? And what does it have to do with human sacrifice?
A Festival That Begins With Stones
Held every year on the second day of Diwali, Patthar Ka Khel attracts villagers from Dhami and surrounding areas.
On 9 November 2026, the traditional fair was once again observed in the village. Two groups gathered at the designated ground and began throwing stones at each other. The ritual continued until a participant sustained an injury and began bleeding.
According to reports, this year's stone-pelting lasted around 18 to 25 minutes, with the injured participant's blood used for a ceremonial offering to the local goddess.
The two groups traditionally represent different sets of villages. The Jamogi group includes residents of Jamogi, Janiya, Planiya, Kothi, Chaiyan and Okhru. The Katedu group is associated with the erstwhile royal family and includes participants from Tundu, Dhagoi, Bathmana and nearby areas.
The ritual ends once someone is injured. A few drops of their blood are collected and applied as a tilak to the local deity, Goddess Bhadrakali, also worshipped as Maha Kali.
Did The Tradition Begin As An Alternative To Human Sacrifice?
The origins of Patthar Ka Khel are connected to an old local belief about human sacrifice.
According to the Shimla district administration, human sacrifices were once offered to Goddess Kali at the very spot where the fair is now held.
The practice was associated with the belief that such sacrifices could protect the region from diseases, natural calamities and other misfortunes. People believed these offerings would bring peace and prosperity to the area.
Over time, human sacrifice was discontinued. The stone-pelting ritual is believed to have emerged as an alternative, allowing villagers to offer the blood of an injured participant instead.
The blood offering remains the central part of the tradition even today.
The Queen Whose Story Is Linked To The Fair
Another important part of the festival's history is the story of the erstwhile queen of Dhami.
According to local folklore, the queen of Dhami is believed to have performed sati after her husband's death. The tradition of sati involved a widow immolating herself on her husband's funeral pyre.
The queen's death is associated with the origin of the present-day fair. Local accounts connect the change in ritual practices to her sacrifice and the subsequent decision to replace older customs.
The Shimla district administration records the belief that the queen performed sati and had ordered human sacrifices to continue, while other local accounts describe the stone-pelting ritual as a replacement for human sacrifice.
The fair is now held at Khel Ka Chaura, near the memorial site associated with the queen's sacrifice.
From Temple Prayers To The First Stone
The event does not begin with the stone throwing.
A prayer procession traditionally starts at the ancient temple of Lord Narasimha, built during the reign of a former ruler of Dhami. Priests and musicians accompany the procession towards the fairground, where prayers are offered.
Members of the erstwhile royal family also participate in the religious ceremony. As part of the tradition, a member of the royal family throws the first stone, marking the beginning of the ritual.
The participation of the royal family reflects the fair's connection with Dhami's history as a former princely state.
How Is The Ritual Kept Under Control?
Despite its religious and cultural significance, the event involves a real risk of injury.
The local administration and organising committee oversee the proceedings to prevent serious injuries. Safety arrangements, including barricades, protective nets and medical teams, are deployed around the grounds.
The stone throwing is also conducted from a designated distance, and the ritual ends once a participant starts bleeding.
For the villagers, Patthar Ka Khel remains a tradition rooted in faith, history and local identity. Its unusual ritual continues to draw attention every year, while the blood offering remains central to its observance.
TL;DR | News At A Glance
What is Patthar Ka Khel?
It is a centuries-old stone-pelting festival held in Dhami village, near Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, every year after Diwali.
Why do villagers throw stones at each other?
According to local belief, the ritual developed as an alternative to human sacrifice, which was once practised to seek protection from diseases and natural calamities.
What happens when someone gets injured?
A few drops of the injured participant's blood are collected and offered to Goddess Bhadrakali as a ceremonial tilak.
What is the story of Dhami's queen?
Local folklore links the tradition to the erstwhile queen of Dhami, whose death through sati is associated with the history of the fair.
How does the festival begin?
A prayer procession starts at the ancient Lord Narasimha temple. A member of the former royal family traditionally throws the first stone.
Where is the fair held?
At Halog village in Dhami, Shimla district, at the site associated with the former queen's memorial.
