Dozens of shield-wielding devotees were pelted with stones during the Bagwal festival in Devidhura, Uttarakhand.

Footage captured on August 12 shows a large crowd gathering to watch as stones were hurled at a group of devotees in the middle.

The devotees were armed with large wooden shields to protect themselves during the festival.

A priest calls for the festival to end once there has been enough blood shed for the Hindu goddess Varahi, also known as Barahi.

Villagers of Devidhura, Uttrakhand has celebrate Bagwal Mela every year. Bagwal means "fight with stones" and that’s precisely what happens during the festival.

Villagers engaged in battle with stones, sticks and shields made of wood leaving many with bloodied faces and bandaged heads.

The battle commences after the Puja ritual ceremony has been completed, whereafter worshippers enter the temple with their weapons and move around the temple in song and dance.

Afterwards, the worshippers, in four different groups called “khams," throw stones at one another, until the priest calls them to stop after ensuring that enough blood has been shed for the goddess Maa Barahi.

It's festival in uttarakhand 12th August.