India has a vast and unique culture, so every state has its own traditional sports to follow. India become the land of traditional sports like Kushti The Indian Wrestling, Vallamkali, Jallikattu and many more. India is also known for its diversified culture and traditions. One of the traditional sports in India is Mallakhamb also known as the pole dance of India, it is one of the very difficult sports in India. There are few famous villages sports are also very adventures sports in India. I am listing few most popular traditional sports in India.
Kushti:
The Indian wrestling is the best sports to play and maintain the physic. It needs to be follow some set rules to become a wrestler. A heavy diet and strict discipline is to be maintain by the wrestler. Famous Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar is the Indian world wrestling champion of 66 kg freestyle wrestling games and winner of Bijing and London Olympics. Indian wrestling is one of most popular and difficult type of traditional sport in India,mostly played at North Indian state of Punjab and Haryana along with Maharashtra.
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| Kushti practice in Akhara - Haryana - India |
Mallakhamb:
Mallakhamb is a traditional Indian sport in which a gymnast performs poses and feats while hanging from a vertical wooden pole or rope. It is also used as a form of exercise to get high level of fitness by the Phalwan or Indian Wrestlers. This is the one of the beautiful Indian sports.
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| Mallakhamb in Mumbai playground |
Kabaddi:
It is one of the most popular sports in India played by the people in villages as well as in small towns. Kabaddi is an Indian game which requires both power and skill for its play. It is a simple and inexpensive game and doesn’t require any playing equipment. Regular Kabaddi tournaments are held throughout the country. |
| Kabaddi - Punjab India |
Kho-Kho:
Kho-Kho is one of the most popular traditional sports in India. Kho Kho is a ‘run and touch’ game that is very simple to play and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It does need any good physical fitness just need skills to play. |
| Girls playing Kho Kho |
Vallamkali:
The snake boat race, known as Vallamkali in Kerala. It is an interesting traditional game held on the occasion of Onam. It is a famous water sport and one of the main attraction held in Kerala. Boat Race is truly a feast to the eyes of the visitors, who come from far off places to see it.
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| Vallamkali - Fmous "Kerala Boat Racing" |
Jallikattu:
Jallikattu is one of the oldest living ancient sports seen in the modern era. The ancient sport of Jallikattu pits crowds of brave young men against angry bulls. It is similar to the Spanish running of the bulls but a traditional part of Pongal celebrations in Tamil Nadu.
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| Jallikkattu race1 in TamilNadu |
In the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, people don’t need red capes and sharp swords to tame bulls, they do it with their bare hands, in a sport called Jallikkattu.
The ancient sport of Jallikattu pits crowds of brave young men against angry bulls who will tear anyone apart, if they get in the way. The name of the sport comes from the words “salli”, which translates as “coin”, and “kadu”, which means tying the coin to the horns of the raging bull. The goal of Jallikattu players is to tame the bull long enough to claim the prize.
But that’s is a lot harder than it sounds, especially since the bulls used for Jallikattu are extremely aggressive, and the players aren’t allowed to defend themselves with anything else but their bare hands. The bravest of the young men will try to grab the hump of the bull, and hang on, while the beast will most often grab him with its long horns and plunge him into the ground.
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| Jallikkattu race2 in TamilNadu |
Tens of thousands of participants and onlookers gather whenever a Jallikattu game is scheduled, and most of the times hundreds of them end up in the hospital, with serious injuries, and some of them lose their lives. A centuries old tradition, in the Tamil Nadu region, Jallikattu was banned in 2008, following accusations that the bulls are fed alcohol and chili is sprayed in their face, to make them more aggressive. The ban was later removed, but the animals are now checked by a team of veterinarians, before Jallikattu.
Camel Race:
Camel racing in Pushkar is one of the major attractions for tourist in Rajasthan. Camels are very important part of desert life, These camels are decorated beautifully at the time of race. Pushkar is one of the oldest living city in India, and it is gaining popularity for one of the biggest annual fair of camels. It was really a good experience to watch the camel race in Pushkar.
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| Camel Race in Pushkar - Rajasthan , India |
Archery:
Archery is one of the most ancient sports originated in India. This is the favorite pastime or sports of the people of Manipur, It’s an everyday activity of the state dwellers. During every festival archery matches are held.
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| Archery practice in Manipur - India |
Martial Arts:
Martial art is a part of India’s ancient culture. Kalarippayattu is the one of the oldest form of Indian martial art. This famous art is from Kerala. Indian martial art is a gift to the modern world and mother of all other Asian martial arts.
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| Kalarippayattu Practice in Kerala India |
