Shimla Oct 21: Annual “Pathron Ka Mela”, a unique stone pelting fair, kept its date and was celebrated with great enthusiasm by local people in Dhami village, about 30 km from Shimla, continuing the centuries-old tradition.

The fair is marked by pelting of stones, mainly by youth from two villages — Halog and Jamog. It is held one day after Diwali and continues until someone gets hit by a stone and starts bleeding. Villagers then smear blood as a ’tilak’ on the forehead of goddess Maha Kali.

The injured persons take pride in sustaining injuries, and this year, a 60-year-old person, Subhash, who recently retired as SHO from the police department, was hit first. He said that he was fortunate that he was injured and vowed to keep up the tradition in the future, too.

As per tradition, the f

See Full Page