You may have seen people take up bizarre challenges in reality shows, but Mounesh Ambiger, a humble farmer of North Karnataka, is one up on many such.
During the just-concluded Nagarapanchami, he rolled a bullock cart wheel from Balakal village in Shahpur taluk to Mailpur village in Yadgir taluk, around 34 km apart, in five hours. His friends followed him on motorcycles to attend to him if there was any emergency.
The month of Ashada — which sees a string of Hindu festivals — is celebrated in a unique way in parts of North Karnataka, with individuals taking up “challenges” of this kind.
Those who manage to achieve it get handsomely rewarded by the community or rich patrons.
The challenges are quite special — ranging from lifting heavy weights and throwing objects to long distances to walking backwards to reach a destination.
Chandrappa, a driver, drove a tractor with a trailer in reverse gear from Ramsamudra village to Gurmitkal town, covering around 25 km. “I won Rs. 5,000 cash and six grams of gold,” said a gleeful Chandrappa.
In another challenge, farmers Basavaraj Madnal and Rajesab pulled a bullock cart containing four quintals of jowar bags from Goudigera to Surpur town, over 20 km apart, in seven hours. They too won gold and cash.
Umesh Mudnal, a local patron who facilitated Ambiger after he reached the goal at Mailpur village, appealed to the people in urban areas to participate in such festivals.
