Kila Raipur Sports Festival Rural Olympics

February 21, 2012 12:51 PM

In February each year, Ludhiana becomes the destination fro hundreds of sports enthusiasts, including foreigners. They come to Kila Raipur to see the special breed of bullocks, camels, dogs, mules and other animals competing in highly professional events. It is to be seen to be believed. In 1946, Mr. Bakhsish Singh was instrumental in getting the most popular event of the Games – the Bullock Cart Race – introduced. This is the annual Kila Raipur Sports Festival, commonly called The Rural Olympics. This years games are over, but photos of various events are being posted online. For one last taste, here's a 10 minute video from the 2007 events.
posted by filthy light thief (3 comments total)

And yes, the games include Kabaddi, unlike the other Olympics.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:52 PM on February 21, 2012

And Wild Films India has more clips from past games, including fire jumping and other antics, cultural dance Bhangra, racing with a plow in your mouth, human totem, and a bicycle race on a grass track.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:03 PM on February 21, 2012 [1 favorite]

QAnyone that can pull a cart with their bullocks is truly Olympian.
posted by Goofyy at 3:39 AM on February 22, 2012