HP: Annual stone-pelting fair in Dhami draws enthusiastic participants

Updated:1 year, 8 months ago

Shimla (HP), Nov 01 (ANI): Each year, the villagers of Dhami, a small settlement near Shimla, come together to celebrate the historic “Stone-Pelting Fair”. This unique cultural event is deeply rooted in the village’s heritage and attracts thousands of participants from surrounding areas. The village is located about 40 kilometers from the Himachal Pradesh capital, Shimla. The event not only showcases the rich traditions of the community but also reflects their dedication to preserving age-old customs. Initially, established as a substitute for human sacrifices, the fair now takes place a day after Diwali, continuing to be a significant and symbolic ritual for the villagers. The festivities begin with a prayer procession from a temple established by a former king of Dhami, leading up to the main ritual. Centuries ago, a compassionate queen from Dhami abolished the practice of human sacrifice, reshaping the fair into the symbolic event that continues today.

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