As usual, ‘kushti’ (wrestling) continued to attract a large crowd during Hampi Utsav 2017 too.
People from Hampi and surrounding places gathered to watch the wrestling matches organised for men and women separately.
‘Kushti,’ which had acquired prominence during the Vijayanagar rule, continues to enjoy the same status even today. There are several places in and around Hampi and Hospet city to groom young ‘pehalwans’ (wrestlers).
The Vijayanagar kings established an ‘akhada’ (wrestling arena) near the Sisters’ stones, which is close to the royal enclosure.
There are pictures, etched on the compound wall surrounding the “akhada” depicting the different ‘dav pech’ (tricks) to overpower the opponent with facility for the public to sit and watch the matches.
However, the ancient ‘akadha’ is in a dilapidated condition.
Apart from wrestlers from within and surrounding districts, wrestlers from other States, who had represented the State and nation, were also invited to contest matches.
