Thousands of worshippers participated in a stone-throwing festival that left hundreds injured in India.

Locals gathered outside Maa Barahi Devi Temple in Uttarakhand for the Bagwal Mela,armed with rocks,sticks and shields.

Chaotic footage showed followers of Hindu goddess Barahi hurling stones at members of opposing groups.

The participants were divided into four teams and pelted each other until their leaders called a halt to the ritual on August 28.

The ritual lasted eight minutes until a conch shell was blown (Picture: Viral Press)

Head priest Kirti Ballabh Joshi said: ‘The ritual lasted eight minutes. It began at 1:48 pm after a conch shell was blown and ended at 1:55 pm.’

Sign up for all of the latest stories

Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.More than 140 were taken to hospital for treatment for wounds to their faces,heads and legs.The Bagwal Mela is an annual traditional festival at the Maa Barahi Devi Temple,where devotees take part in the centuries-old stone-throwing ritual.The word Bagwal translates to ‘fight with stones’.The ritual is held in honour of the goddess Barahi,with worshippers believing that the traditional bloodshed fulfils an ancient religious offering.Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at .For more stories like this,check our news page.