The Gotmar Fair is an annual traditional event held in Pandhurna, Madhya Pradesh, on the banks of the Jam River. The term “Gotmar” literally translates to “stone-pelting,” which forms the central and most controversial feature of this centuries-old festival.
The fair brings together villagers from two rival sides — Pandhurna and Sawargaon — who gather on opposite banks of the river. Thousands of spectators from nearby regions also attend to witness this dramatic ritual.
At the heart of the fair is a symbolic ritual. A tall tree trunk with a flag on top is planted in the middle of the Jam River. Participants from both sides hurl stones at each other in a fierce competition. The goal is for one side to cross the river, reach the flag, and pull it down — thereby claiming victory for their village.
The Gotmar Fair is believed to have originated from a tragic folk legend. According to local lore, a young man from Pandhurna fell in love with a girl from Sawargaon. When the couple tried to elope by crossing the river, villagers from Sawargaon discovered them and began pelting them with stones to stop them. In response, the Pandhurna villagers retaliated, leading to the couple’s death. The fair is said to commemorate this ill-fated love story.
The fair has long been controversial due to the violence and injuries it causes each year. Despite heavy police deployment, medical assistance, and repeated efforts by the administration to replace stones with rubber balls, participants continue the traditional stone-pelting practice. Several attempts have been made to ban or reform the event, but local sentiment and tradition have kept it alive.
Historically, the Gotmar Fair has resulted in numerous injuries — sometimes even fatalities. Hundreds of people are treated annually for wounds sustained during the event. The district administration sets up safety zones, first-aid camps, and observation towers to minimize harm, yet full control remains difficult due to the event’s intensity and emotional significance to locals.
The Gotmar Fair of Pandhurna remains a powerful symbol of rural tradition, community identity, and cultural continuity — but also a reminder of the thin line between ritual and risk. Balancing respect for heritage with public safety continues to be a major challenge for authorities and villagers alike.
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