A Festival Of Hurling Explosives

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The residents of Gautampura village in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district observe a unique festival in which gunpowder-filled dried fruit 'Hingot' are hurled between two rival teams to exhibit their martial skills and dare devilry.

"The villagers split into two teams 'Turra' and 'Kalangi' throw explosives on each other in the evening of second day of Diwali, in which many people are injured," Gautampura-resident Devilal Gurjar told UNI, adding that it is organised on the ground in front of Devnarayan temple.

He said a sea of people from India and abroad throng the village to enjoy the Festival.

Gautampura is situated on the banks of Chambal River, about 16 km north of Depalpur and 68 km north-west of Indore.

Local denizens pluck the fruit from Hingoria tree, dry it, fill it with gunpowder and close the other end with soil. They then light the gunpowder-end and hurl it on the rival team. The fruit explode violently in the air and also sometimes hurt people.

The festival starts in the evening and continues till midnight.

The teams fight like foes at the mock battlefield but mingle soon after the festival is over.