Hundred and ten years ago, on 23 May 1904, First World Greco-Roman wrestling was held in Vienna, Austria. So 23 May is celebrated as World Wrestling Day. But the day has left a big scar in the history of Indian wrestling, a big pioneer and patron of traditional wrestling over the world, when the most…
Since time immemorial, India is known for being united amidst the diversity of people of different castes, creeds, religions and beliefs through their amazingly colourful and attractive festivals. Among these, Theyyam is unurguably the most colourful, action packed, raw and humanitarian festival wrapped in the warmth of obedience, devotion and ritual of human…
Shreenath Veer Mhaskoba festival is the annual pilgrimage of Lord Mhaskoba Maharaj celebrated in the Veer village which is situated 50 Km from Pune in Maharashtra of India. The village, on the bank of the river Purnaganga, comes under the Taluka Purandar, overlooking the historical Purandar Fort at a distance. The festival takes place during…
Turmeric festival or BHANDARA is an extravaganza of colorful celebration of faith and devotion with golden yellow turmeric powder in south western rural Maharashtra, mainly by the Dhangar community. Dhangars are shepherd by profession, mainly reside in the south Maharashtra and north Karnataka who consider Khandoba of Jejuri and Birudev of PATTANKODOLI and HULJANTI as…
Bhandara Festival of HULJANTI is the symbolic outburst with colour of life and dedication of faith to the almighty god. This is considered as one of the most colourful, sacred and religious festival among the members of DHANGAR community from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh states of India. Dhangars are the shepherd community of this…
Images and article by : Arun saha Shri Vittal Birdev Annual Yatra is observed at Pattan Kodoli village in Hatkangale Taluka near Kolhapur. It is situated between foot fills of Panhala fort (Ranges) and Warana River. It is the birth anniversary or Janmotsav festival of Vitthal Birdev Maharaj, who is a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.…
MOTIBAG TALIM(KOLHAPUR) : ABODE OF TRADITIONAL WRESTLING IN INDIA STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS : ARUN SAHA (AFIAP,FFIP) Despite being famous for its spicy food and decorative footwear, Kolhapur has another big story to tell to the world…the famous story of traditional wrestling. In and around Maharashtra and its surrounding states, Kolhapur remained a synonym of wrestling…
Article and Photographs by ARUN SAHA “Sonyachi Jejuri”- as the holy town Jejuri is called aptly by the native Maharashtrians, which means “The Golden Jejuri”, comes alive when one looks from the roof top of the Khandoba temple at the porch, at the stairs, at the roads, at the entire Jejuri city and at the…