Nagpur/Pandhurna, Aug. 23 -- Around 500 people were injured during the traditional stone-pelting festival (Gotmar) held at Pandhurna town, 104 km from Nagpur (Maharashtra) today.
The festival is celebrated annually on the second day of the Pola festival, coinciding with Bhadrapada Amavasya.
The event, which dates back nearly 400 years, is marked by villagers from Pandhurna and neighboring Sawargaon hurling stones at each other across the Jam River.
Despite repeated attempts by authorities to ban or regulate the ritual, the violent tradition continues to draw hundreds of participants every year.
According to officials, the stone-pelting began around 10 a.m. after devotees offered prayers at the Chandika Devi temple.
Notably, over 600 po...