# Centuries-old victory ritual revived in Uttarakhand border village 2026-08-09T20:49:38+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Gunji, a Himalayan border village in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district, revived the centuries-old 'Jumli Hya Samo' ritual on Saturday after a 12-year gap. Residents symbolically beheaded an effigy of a legendary Jumli king, using blood from a black goat to apply victory tilaks. The ceremony commemorates deliverance from the ruler's tyranny, according to oral tradition. Villagers dressed in traditional attire marched to Phasganj ground, where the village head severed the effigy's head with one sword stroke. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police, SSB, and BRO attended. Festivities continued Sunday with cultural performances and a community feast. ## Coverage - newindianexpress.com Tags: Gunji, Himalayan border village, Jumli Hya Samo, Pithoragarh, ritual revival, Uttarakhand Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/centuries-old-victory-ritual-revived-in-uttarakhand-border-village/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/centuries-old-victory-ritual-revived-in-uttarakhand-border-village/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.