Historic Bagwal festival in northern India sees 212 injured as thousands attend
by Bhagyashree BarmanThe Bagwal festival at Varahi Dham Devidhura, located in northern India’s Uttarakhand, is a unique and historic event that draws thousands of spectators annually.
The incident took place in Champawat district on August 19.
Visuals showed people throwing stones at each other and using huge covers to defend themselves. Men wear head covers to protect their heads.
According to reports, celebrated on Rakshabandhan, the festival involves four clans, known as Khams—Chamyal, Walik, Gaharwal, and Lamgadiya—engaging in a symbolic battle. This year, the event was held twice for the first time and witnessed more than 50,000 attendees. The battle involves participants hurling fruits and flowers at each other, a practice that replaced the traditional use of stones following a court order.
Despite the symbolic nature of the event, it remains physically intense, and this year, 212 participants were injured during the 11-minute battle. The ritual started at 2:05 pm, led by the chief priests of the Maa Varahi Dham temple, and continued until 2:16 pm. Injuries are common in Bagwal, and those hurt were treated and discharged after first aid.
The origins of Bagwal are deeply rooted in local legend and religious belief. Historically, the festival involved human sacrifices to appease the goddess Maa Varahi. The story goes that when the life of an old woman’s grandson was at risk, she prayed to the goddess, who then advised that bloodshed among the clans could replace human sacrifice. Over time, the ritual evolved, and while stones were traditionally used, a ban by the High Court has led to the use of fruits and flowers instead.
The festival attracts not only local devotees but also tourists from across India and abroad. The celebration is part of a larger fair known as Ashaadi Kautik, where roads leading to Devidhura are packed with people, and heavy police deployment is required to manage the crowds. Despite its dangers, Bagwal remains a symbol of devotion and cultural heritage in the region.
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