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Where people hurl stones at each other in Dusshera

     Kaladev (MP): In a bizarre ritual villagers in Kaladev village pelted stones and abused each other as part of Dusshera festival. The locals were joined by hundreds more, including women, from neighbouring areas as they sweared, called names and made sarcastic remarks provoking each other to hit them with stones, usually small pebbles not more than the size of a large marble. According to Hindu mythological epic Ramayana, the village was the site of the battle between Lord Rama and his twin sons, living in exile since their birth, which ultimately ended in their reunion. Villagers recreate the battle by throwing stones with the abuses being a modern-day addition by young men, who enjoy their day out in the field. "This ritual has been our tradition. We form two groups, namely, Ram and Ravana. They throw stones at each other. Nobody gets hurt in the process. In fact nobody gets injured even if they shoot with a gun," said Ram Bhau, a villager. "We have been participating since the last eight years. I still don't know why nobody gets hurt. Maybe its god's race or some magic," said Neelesh, another participant. Though dozens are injured, sometimes seriously, repeated attempts by police to stop the ritual have failed with the superstitious villagers firmly believing that a break in tradition will invoke divine wrath.
-Oct 24, 2004