Sunday, 22 August 2021 | PNS | Bageshwar
The traditional stone pelting festival celebrated on Rakshabandhan- Bagwal at Devidhura in Champawat district will be symbolic this year due to Covid restrictions. It has been some years since the stones were replaced by seasonal fruits and flowers but this time even the crowd will be limited due to Covid-19. Though the original form of Bagwal was changed by the authorities some years ago, the crowds from villages in the region too will not congregate this year.
According to popular belief, the practice of human sacrifice to appease goddess Barahi was practiced here ages ago. Tradition has it that one old lady whose son was to be sacrificed managed to convince the deity that a war of stones between different areas would be staged till blood equaling one person is shed. After this the practice of stone war was initiated. It is also believed that Bheem had also participated in the stone battle. The Champawat district magistrate and superintendent of police held a meeting with all concerned to chalk out the details of the symbolic celebration of Bagwal to be held on the occasion of Rakshabandhan.
