Giant effigy fires fireworks into crowd at India festival

What was meant to be the climax of a religious festival in India turned to chaos within seconds: a giant effigy was set ablaze, fireworks began exploding in all directions, and rockets and sparks shot straight toward the spectators. People who had gathered to watch began moving away quickly, trying to escape the fireworks flying toward them.

The incident occurred during one of India's major festivals, in which a giant effigy of a demon figure symbolizing evil is burned. The burning of the figure represents the triumph of good over evil, and draws crowds each year to watch the ceremony and the accompanying fireworks display.

Giant effigy fires fireworks into crowd during festival in India (Photo: Social media)

Video circulated on social media shows a person lighting the figure at its base. Within moments, the fireworks embedded in it begin to explode, but instead of shooting upward into the sky, they fire in various directions, including toward the crowd. Sparks and rockets fly close to spectators, who are seen trying to move away from the area quickly.

The video drew numerous reactions online, with some users responding with humor to the unusual sight, while others expressed concern about the danger to spectators, particularly given the proximity of the crowd to the burning figure. One user described what was happening as "the demon effigy's counterattack."