Halog Village Holds Annual Pathar Mela After Diwali

On 9 November 2026, the day after Diwali, people gathered at Halog village in Dhami, near Shimla, for the annual Pathar Mela. Attendance estimates ranged from hundreds to thousands. The ritual involves two groups throwing stones at each other and ends when someone is injured and blood is drawn.

Ritual and local tradition

Local religious tradition uses the blood for a ceremonial tilak to Goddess Bhadrakali. The 2026 contest lasted about 25 minutes and ended when Mahesh Verma of the Jamogi group suffered a cheek injury. His blood was used for the tilak at the goddess’s temple, and he received primary medical treatment.

The practice is believed to be 300 to 400 years old and is associated with the former Dhami princely state and its royal family. Local folklore says a queen introduced the ritual as an alternative to human sacrifice; this account is not independently established as historical fact.

Important Facts for Exams

• Halog’s princely link: Halog was the capital of Dhami, the former princely state associated with the Pathar Mela tradition.
• Agency affiliation: Dhami formed part of the Punjab Hill States Agency during British rule, placing the former state within a regional grouping of hill polities.
• Ruler’s title: The rulers of Dhami bore the title Rana, a specific designation associated with the state’s ruling family.