Hundreds gathered in Halog village near Shimla for Pathar Mela, a centuries-old Diwali ritual in which two groups throw stones until someone is injured. The participant’s blood is offered as a ceremonial tilak to Goddess Bhadrakali, a practice believed to have replaced human sacrifice. While Diwali celebrations across India are associated with diyas, fireworks, sweets and family gatherings, a village in Himachal Pradesh marks the festival with a centuries-old ritual involving something.