Uttarakhand Villagers Indulge In Stoning Ritual On Rakshabandhan

Hundreds of tourists flocked to Devidhura village in Champawat on Saturday to witness the stoning ritual between villagers celebrating Rakshabandhan.

The ritual named 'bagwaal' is held annually between four groups of villagers who first offer prayers to Maa Varahi goddess inside the temple, and as the priest blows the conch shell, the stoning ritual begins. It lasts for more than 10 minutes when the priest again blows the conch shell to call for a ceasfire.

Men armed with wooden shields throw stones at one another in order to extract blood to be 'offered' to the goddess.


From: http://ping.fm/OmBWb