Vajra Mushti Kalaga

Vajra Mushti Kalaga

News: Vajra mushti kalaga is a martial art form. It has gone extinct and takes place only during Dasara.

What is Vajra Mushti Kalaga?
• Vajra Mushti Kalaga is a unique Indian martial art form that incorporates various techniques of hand-tohand combat like grappling, wrestling, and striking.
• The term “Vajra Mushti” translates to “Thunderbolt Fist” and is characterized by the utilization of a knuckleduster, a small metal weapon. The knuckleduster, also known as Vajra Mushti, is usually made of animal horns and worn on the knuckles of the fighter.
• The main objective of this Indian martial art form is to neutralize the opponent and counter his weapon. It is a form of wrestling different from conventional grappling and entails two jettys taking a swipe at each other’s heads with a knuckleduster. Whoever draws the blood from the opponent’s head first is declared the winner.

When was this wrestling form popular?
• This form of wrestling was popular during the period of the Vijayanagar rulers, who reigned between the 14th and the 17th centuries. The fight is real, and the jettys make all efforts to draw blood from the opponent’s head, and a referee intervenes upon noticing the first drop.
• Medieval travelers from Portugal noticed this form of wrestling during the Navaratri celebrations in Vijayanagar empire and have left detailed accounts of it.