India showcases a diverse array of unconventional sports that intrigue the world. These unusual sports play a crucial role in preserving India’s rich cultural heritage. They serve as a reminder of ancient traditions, fostering a sense of identity and unity among communities, ensuring that our vibrant culture thrives and endures through generations.
Discover the uniqueness of Elephant Polo, Dhopkhel, Mallakhamb, Asol Aap, and Kambala Buffalo Race.
- Elephant Polo Elephant Polo is a variant of the usual Polo, played while riding on the back of elephants. Weird as it may sound, it is a popular sport played in Rajasthan. It attracts a lot of international media because of its odd nature, as a fast sport such as Polo is played from the back of slow-moving elephants. The standard equipment needed to play this game is a six to ten-foot cane along with a standard polo ball. The pitch is considerably smaller than the standard polo pitch because of the slow-moving animals. Two players ride a single elephant who is steered by a mahout. Elephant polo is a more relaxing and leisurely sport as compared to horse polo and can be witnessed only in Jaipur. Watching this game can be quite fascinating and an unforgettable experience.
- Dhopkhel Dhopkhel or Dhoop khel is an indigenous sport of Assam. It is a seasonal ball game that was played to celebrate the spring and the new year festival of Bihu. It was also played as a spectator sport with the royal patronage of the Ahoms and is one of the lesser-known sports of Assam. The game features two teams of eleven players on a 125m x 80m field with central points, Chukor Nishan flags, and gher circles. Using a rubber ball, players aim to catch and throw, with Katoni players being key. The team with more ghais wins. Gender-neutral sport.
- Mallakhamb The ancient Indian sport of Mallakhamb is a type of Indian gymnastics performed on a vertical pole. Although at first glance, Mallakhamb may seem like aerial yoga performed on a sheesham or Indian rosewood pole polished with castor oil, it is actually a form of Indian martial arts that is most popular in Maharashtra. The word ‘malla’ means wrestling, and ‘khamb’ means pole, meaning wrestling on a pole. Mallakhamb has been included in the Khelo India Youth Games since the year 2022.
- Asol Aap Aso Aap is the traditional canoe race held on the sea, popular in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A canoe of about 100’ is used by athletes whose number depends on the size and shape of the canoe. Only two teams compete at one time, and the distance is around five to six kilometers. The Nicobar Athletic Association organizes these canoe races in Car Nicobar.
- Kambala Buffalo Race The Kambala buffalo race is quite popular in coastal Karnataka and is performed on two parallel tracks filled with slushy water. Well-fed, oiled, and nurtured buffaloes are raced in pairs held together with ropes and plows. A jockey or Kambala runner stands on a plank that holds the two buffaloes together and commands them. Prizes are given to the one who finishes first and also the one who splashes water till the set target. Kambala events are held between November and March.
