A fair that starts with wrestling bouts
ALLAHABAD Over a century old ring near Gangeshwar Nath temple in Salori resounded with loud cheers as some wrestlers applied their best tactics in the traditional ‘Kushti’ (wresting) match that marked the start of the ancient Dadhikandho fair in Allahabad.
The Dadhikandho is annually organised on weekends to celebrate ‘shasthi’ (sixth day) of Janmashtami in Allahabad. The fair, first in the series of six, was organised in Chandpur Salori, on Saturday night.
“The tradition of organising the ancient India sports ‘Dangal’ to mark the beginning of Dhadhikando fair in Salori is at least a century old. We want to keep alive this tradition as temples in Allahabad have contributed a lot to making ‘Kushti’ famous in UP. Wrestlers like Jitendra Pahalwan from Jhunsi, Sankata Pahalwan from Jhunsi, Rambabu from Varanasi start practising for this match months in advance. Around one lakh people gather to attend the annual event. A grand procession of religious and socio-political tableaux is the main highlight of the fair which is taken out all through the night,” shared Rambabu Shukla ‘Kanchan’, president of Dadhikando Mela Committee, Chandpur Salori.
Shukla said wrestlers from at least a dozen cities, including Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Varanasi and Allahabad, were participating in the wrestling matches organised in senior and junior categories.
“There is so much of enthusiasm in people to watch these match in which around 100 wrestlers have participated this year. All have mastered different techniques of ‘Kushti’ like clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds.”
Shukla said during the Dadhikando fair the procession is taken out in which Lord Krishna and Baldau sit atop an elephant, followed by tableaux based on from the life of Lord Krishna.
The procession begins from the ancient Lord Shiva temple after offering prayers to Lord Krishna and Baldau.