‘Pathar Mela’ held in Shimla’s Dhami area

The traditional “Pathar Mela” was held with usual enthusiasm in the Dhami area of the Shimla Rural constituency today. The centuries-old festival, held every year a day after Diwali, involves two groups of people pelting each other with stones until someone gets injured and blood oozes out from his body. A “tilak” is then applied to the local deity with the blood of the injured person. One of the two groups pelting stone at each other represents the erstwhile royal family while the other represents the masses.

The two groups kept hurling stones at each other until elderly Subhash was struck on his hand. As soon as the blood starting oozing out, the stone throwing stopped. The injured person then applied a ‘tilak’ to the local deity and a sizeable gathering of people started a traditional dance and singing songs.

“The mela is a symbol of our faith and we don’t care if we have to shed our blood to carry the forward tradition. It is being organised since time immemorial and will continue in the future as well,” said injured Subhash.

Asked about the likely threat of someone sustaining a fatal injury, Subhash said that the deity protects the people participating in the mela from serious injuries. “No one has ever sustained a serious injury during the mela,” he added.

According to locals, the festival dates back to the 18th century when human sacrifice was prevalent. The mela was started as an alternative to human sacrifice. Besides, they believe that the tradition protects the Dhami area from calamity and diseases and ensure peace and prosperity.