Almora

Almora’s 56-minute Bagwal stone battle leaves 12 injured as Kotyura wins at Vijaypur Patia

Q: How many participants were injured?

The 56 minute contest left 12 participants injured.

Vijaypur Patia village in Almora’s Takula block hosted its annual Bagwal, or Pashan Yudh, on Govardhan Puja. Participants from Kasun, Kotyura, Patia and Bhatgaon faced each other across the Panchghatiya river. The traditional contest lasted 56 minutes, injured 12 participants and ended with a Kotyura participant drinking the river water first.

Editor: Khatima News Published: 10 Nov 2026, 09:14 PM Updated: 10 Nov 2026, 09:14 PM

Almora’s 56-minute Bagwal stone battle leaves 12 injured as Kotyura wins at Vijaypur Patia.

Vijaypur Patia village in Almora’s Takula block witnessed its annual Bagwal, also known as Pashan Yudh, on Govardhan Puja. The traditional stone battle brought participants from 4 villages together for a contest held across the Panchghatiya river.

People from Kasun, Kotyura, Patia and Bhatgaon stood on opposite banks and threw stones at one another. The contest continued until a participant from one side reached the river and drank its water.

A video circulating on social media has drawn attention to the long-running village tradition. The reported contest lasted 56 minutes, during which 12 participants were injured.

Kotyura declared winner

Kotyura won this year’s contest after its participant reached the Panchghatiya river and drank the water first. Under the tradition, the side whose participant completes that act is declared the winner.

The event has been followed for generations in the area. Its continuation has made Bagwal part of the shared history and identity of the participating villages.

The tradition is also compared with the well-known Bagwal held at Devidhura in Champawat. However, the Vijaypur Patia event involves the villages around the Panchghatiya river in Almora’s Takula block.

For residents, the gathering is more than an annual contest. It represents a custom passed from one generation to the next and remains connected with the community’s collective identity.

Conclusion

The annual Bagwal at Vijaypur Patia ended with Kotyura’s victory after 56 minutes, while 12 participants were injured. The event continues a generations-old tradition involving 4 villages along the Panchghatiya river.