More than 120 people were injured on Thursday (August 15) in a bizarre festival in northern India which sees devotees pelt each other with stones.

The "Bagwal" stone-pelting festival is held every year at the temple of goddess Barahi Devi in Devidhura, Uttarakhand state on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

The attendees were divided into two teams, each taking turns to throw stone-like objects.

Through many reports claimed the men threw stones, locals said the practice was modified a few years ago and pears are used in place of stones.

Scores of people were injured while taking part in the age-old stone-throwing festival in northern India.

A video has emerged of people throwing stone-like objects at each other while celebrating Baghwal, the festival of bloodshed.

The incident took place on Aug. 15 in Uttarakhand state's Champawat to mark the festival of Raksha Bandhan.

Visuals showed men coming out in numbers to take part in the traditional festival.

Once ready, they were divided into two teams, each taking turns to throw stone-like objects.

Through many reports claimed the men threw stones, locals said the practice was modified a few years ago and pear is used in place of stone since.

The festival falls on Shravan Purnima and is dedicated to Barahi Devi, the presiding goddess at Devidhura temple.

Locals believe bloodshed pleases the deity.

The act is witnessed by thousands of spectators and generally goes on for 10 minutes.

Youths from the local Chamyal, Gaharwal, Olgiya and Lamgaria community take part in the festival