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Thousands of worshippers participated in the Bagwal Mela stone-throwing festival at Maa Barahi Devi Temple in Uttarakhand, resulting in hundreds of injuries. More than 140 participants required hospital treatment for wounds sustained during the chaotic event on August 28.
More than 140 individuals required hospital treatment for injuries sustained during the festival, with numerous cases reported involving wounds to the face, head, and legs. The Bagwal Mela is an annual event that takes place at the Maa Barahi Devi Temple, featuring the stone-throwing ritual that honours the goddess Barahi.
Authorities are reportedly reviewing safety measures for the Bagwal Mela following injuries sustained by over 140 participants during the stone-throwing ritual. In response to the incident, local officials plan to implement enhanced crowd control and first aid resources for future events.
What remains unclear — It is not known how many participants sustained injuries beyond those taken to hospital.
Hundreds injured during annual stone-throwing festival in Uttarakhand
Thousands of worshippers participated in a stone-throwing festival that left hundreds injured in India.
Locals gathered outside Maa Barahi Devi Temple in Uttarakhand for the Bagwal Mela, armed with rocks, sticks and shields.
Chaotic footage showed followers of Hindu goddess Barahi hurling stones at members of opposing groups.
The participants were divided into four teams and pelted each other until their leaders called a halt to the ritual on August 28.
The ritual lasted eight minutes until a conch shell was blown (Picture: Viral Press)
Head priest Kirti Ballabh Joshi said: ‘The ritual lasted eight minutes. It began at 1:48 pm after a conch shell was blown and ended at 1:55 pm.’
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More than 140 were taken to hospital for treatment for wounds to their faces, heads and legs.
The Bagwal Mela is an annual traditional festival at the Maa Barahi Devi Temple, where devotees take part in the centuries-old stone-throwing ritual.
The word Bagwal translates to ‘fight with stones’.
The ritual is held in honour of the goddess Barahi, with worshippers believing that the traditional bloodshed fulfils an ancient religious offering.
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