In a striking display of tradition and fervor, the annual Hingot fight in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, saw over 30 participants sustain injuries on Tuesday evening. This unique Diwali custom involves participants throwing firecrackers crafted from the Hingot fruit at each other, a practice celebrated every year.
The event, held in the Gautampura area of Indore, witnessed ‘warriors’ from Gautampura and the neighboring village of Runji engaging in this fiery exchange, with crowds cheering them on. According to Block Medical Officer Dr. Vandana Kesari, approximately 35 individuals were injured, with two suffering serious injuries requiring hospitalization. One sustained a broken arm, while others incurred facial injuries.
Safety Measures in Place
To ensure the safety of spectators, high nets and barricades were erected around the ‘battlefield’. Additionally, a considerable security presence, including around 200 police and 100 administrative personnel, was deployed, along with fire engines and ambulances.
What is Hingot? A Glimpse into the Diwali Tradition
Hingot is a small, wild fruit, roughly the size of a gooseberry. Traditionally, it is hollowed out, dried, and filled with gunpowder to create a rocket-like firecracker. These are then hurled at opponents during the annual clash between the ‘Turra’ group from Gautampura and the ‘Kalangi’ group from Runji.
Despite the recurring injuries, and even instances of fatalities in past years, the administration has not banned the tradition. Last year, seven people were injured, with 23 others receiving minor wounds.
Local accounts suggest the tradition dates back 200 years to the era of the Holkar dynasty’s rule in Indore. It is believed that early guerrilla warriors used these Hingot firecrackers against invading Mughal armies, adding a historical layer to this intense ritual observed on the second day of Diwali.
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- Last year, seven people were wounded and 23 others received minor injuries during the Hingot fight.