A busy bus station with conductors shouting, people wandering around, tea being served, sounds like any other place of India, right? Well, the bus station I am talking about is in Ludhiana and the hardcore Punjabi language prevalent here is making me wonder if Honey Singh and Badshah taught enough. I think I’ll ask for a refund after this festival is over.
After asking around, I finally get on a bus to Dehlon. Where am I going, you ask? So Dehlon or how locals call Dhellon, is where you should be visiting to attend Kila Raipur Sports Festival.
So I reach Dehlon, take another bus blaring Punjabi songs in volume louder than human ear can ever comprehend, it drops me near the festival ground. I walk, enter the stadium. Punjabi is everywhere, people greet me, see my camera and tell me to go that way. ‘Tussi otthe jao’, (Go, that way) I realize that it is the entry gate for the journalists, I didn’t have a press pass, I enter anyway, my huge camera hides my identity. People are really naïve in small cities; a big camera makes you a big shot journalist. I wonder if it also increases chances of getting kidnapped.
Kila Raipur sports festival is a traditional sporting event in the state of Punjab. This festival is held annually in the month of February and invites different performers and athletes from of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. What makes Kila Raipur different than other sporting events is the fact that most of the events are really bizarre. The traditional sporting events include Kabaddi, Football, cycling and sprints.
But then there is a point where things not only get out of the box but it actually shreds the box into pieces and toss it in a dumpster. Athletes compete with each other to get ahead in tyre lifting competition. There is a race of the hunter dogs from Punjab police and they’ll only listen to their handlers and no one else. Two teams compete to lift sacks of wheat and the winner is decided by counting which team was able to put how many sacks in the truck.
Kila Raipur was known for the bullock cart race which got banned when animal rights groups protested against it. The race is doesn’t exist anymore but you can still take a glimpse of horse cart and mule cart race. The animals are in the mood to compete as fiercely as their masters. It is said that entire village contributes in the training of that said animal because it is village that the team is representing and not the person.
It was a fine change to be somewhere, where you won’t see hoardings of multinational brands sponsoring the event. Instead, I got to see a rural rustic side of Punjab that was unlike any other place I have ever been to. The kindness of the locals and an intimidating feeling around the big shot photographers was something that I haven’t felt ever in my life. But then, I returned home with some pretty nice shots. What do you think?
When: Kila Raipur Rural Olympics is held every year in the month of February
How to Reach: Ludhiana is the nearest city where you can stay. There are buses leaving for Dehlon every half an hour from ISBT. From Dehlon you can catch a tuktuk to sports venue.
Well the place seems interesting and perfect is the only word for your photography.
Thanks a lot for your kind words.
I do not think such a massive sports meet is conducted anywhere in the world and Kila Raipur Sports Festival seems to be unique. Thanks for writing such an informative article. your images are amazing and catches the true spirit of rural sports.
I think there are a lot of places where such local sports are conducted. You just need to look around.
Ok. I live in Finland and we have a lot of weird copetitions. Like throwing old mobile phones or carrying wifes or swimming in snow. But the photos from the post did surprise me 🙂 The tire carrying thing looks like fun.
I would love to visit your country to witness the spectacle myself.
that’s awesome. So many interesting things take place around us. This one looks quite popular – the stands are crowded and there are photographers too.
Most of them are from local newspapers but people from town are coming here too.
I’m not really into sports or whatever but it’s interesting to learn that you have something like this in India.
Glad that you thought so.
I’ve wanted to visit this event for the longest time now. The photographs do capture the spirit of the place very well!
you should come next year.
So interesting rural games.It is thrill to just see the still pics, I am imaging the excitement to watch in real. So sad the races got banned. Did the so called animal rights protectors get the sled dog race banned?
I think bulls are not made for running. I have seen racers twisting tails of the bulls to make them run faster. Although after the ban the festival got a little toned down.
What a neat experience and you captured it so well! Beautiful photography!
I bet those tire carriers are really great at getting all the grocery bags in the house in only one trip!
Hahah, that’s a funny thing to say.
Oh my goodness how absolutely amazing would it have been to see this. Such a wonderful experience to get to see how other cultures do things.
Your pictures are so completely amazing. I really would love to see the Kila Raipur games in person because I think there is so much talent and a lot of fun!
I hope you get to see it in person someday.
These pictures are phenomenal and your story is crazy. Sounds like a real experience and adventure. Props to you for doing this
Oooh Kila Raipur Sports Festival seems to be very interesting! I would be thrilled to see those bizarre sporting events, as you have mentioned.
glad that you found my posts helpful
That sports festival looks fantastic. I didn’t anything so spectacular took place anywhere!
The Rural Olympics sounds great. The pictures are great!!
The pictures are amazing. What a creative way to encourage and celebrate sport.
I am glad that you believe so
Wow, your narration about being a journalist sounds a little scary. I’m glad everything worked out well. The photos turned out great.
Thanks a lot for your comments.
I have never heard of it. I would love to attend someday because it looks interesting
Glad that you felt that way.
I am curious to watch this sports festival coz the games are quite unique. Thanks for sharing us another destination!
I am sure there must be such unique things in your country, I would love to know about these rituals.
What a fascinating post! I would love to see the Rural Olympics in person! The different events are so interesting!
You must and let me know if you need more information.
What a great experience! Thank you for sharing it! Love your pictures!
Thanks a lot for your valuable comments.
This sounds as though it was a fantastic experience. I am glad it ended up working out for the better and I LOVE the pictures that you got.
Thank a lot for your wonderful comment.
Wow, that actually looks like a really awesome event. I would love to see some chariot races!
Yeah, it is very exciting.
I never knew this! I have to open my eyes more. So many interesting things happen around the world! This event looks so cool, if I lived here I’d definitely be here snapping photos.
This looks like a really cool event to participate in! I loved all the photos…it really captured the fun in it!
Totally it is a great experience to be a part of
It’s so cool that they come up with so many unique and out of the box events. I mean football and cycling are nice, but I love how original they are with the competitions here.
It is fun to watch and experience these events.
I had no idea about these olympics! These events all look like they were so great to watch.
Of course. Let me know if you are planning to visit sometime.
Yes, this is an awesome experience
So interesting to see how other countries take on events. Nice original events that we normally do not see.
This is a fun event @Cynthia
Excellent captures.