Garadi Mane - Shivajinagar, Bengaluru
To encourage professional wrestlers, the Karnataka government organizes many competitions. Kushti has struggled between two Pehlwans in a large arena covered only with sand and mud. One can only enter the field after performing cleansings and tying the langot, a traditional Indian loincloth for men. The newcomer had to sweep and clean the Garadi Mane before he was allowed inside. The game is a trail of strength, and the winner is one who pins the opponent’s shoulders to the ground. No blows with the hands are allowed, and the men deal with each other face to face. There are no rest periods, and the match once started goes on till one of the players is defeated or signals his acceptance of defeat.
The soil in the wrestling pit is considered holy. It contains many nutritional values. The soil is treated with ayurvedic herbs, coconut or mustard oil, Kumkum, sandalwood powder, and turmeric powder, giving it a smooth texture. This has scientific reasoning when the soil is treated with these ingredients’ wrestlers won’t get any skin diseases. They have antiseptic qualities.
