Fifteen individuals sustained injuries during the annual ‘Hingot war’ in the Gautampura region of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on November 2. This traditional event occurs each year the day after Diwali and attracts many participants who engage in tossing “burning arrows” at one another, viewing it as both a cultural practice and a demonstration of bravery.
Arun Solanki, the police station in-charge of Gautampura, mentioned that sufficient police presence was arranged to oversee the event. Community members gathered to pray at a temple before the Hingot fight commenced. Despite its long-standing nature, there are no documented records detailing the origins of this tradition.
In this practice, the fruit known as Hingot is harvested, dried, filled with gunpowder, and attached to wood. Once ignited, these projectiles are thrown at one another, all under the watchful eye of law enforcement and local authorities.
To ensure safety, along with rapid medical response, over a dozen ambulances and medical personnel were on standby for the event. On that Friday evening, around 150 participants from two groups, Turra and Kalgi, took part in the festivities. According to Gautampura Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ravi Verma, five ambulances and medical teams were stationed on both sides to assist the injured.
In contrast, last year’s event saw around 35 casualties, while a tragic incident in 2017 resulted in a youth’s death due to a head injury sustained during the Hingot war.