Two villages in Madhya Pradesh draw blood to sustain an uncanny tradition

Bhopal: Over 500 villagers were hurt, one of them critically, during the annual Gotemara Mela or Pola-Badga festival – in which villagers hurl stones at each other - in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh.

The day-long annual event will see people from Pandhurna and Saunsar Gaon villages, situated on either side of the Jhaam river, throw stones to deter others from claiming the flag tied on top of a tree-post installed at the centre of the river. 

The 400-year-old festival had claimed many lives in the past. According to official data, 13 lives have been lost since 1955 and about 700 have suffered injuries. This had forced the  State Human Rights Commission to ban it. However, it has not had any impact on the ground.

This year, the district administration installed CCTV cameras to monitor people's movements. More than 300 policemen were deployed at the venue, said Manoj Rai, Chhindwara district superintendent of Police.

Origin of the festival

Legend has it that a boy from Pandhurna and his lover from Saunsar Gaon tried to elope in a boat. On spotting them, Saunsar Gaon villagers, who opposed to the affair, pelted stones at them. Pandhurna villagers, who assembled on banks of the Jhaam river, retaliated by pelting stones on the girl and at the villagers on the other side. The lovers died from injuries sustained in the turmoil.

However, both villagers continue to live in harmony despite their rude behaviour during the festival.