People in India have always been major sports fanatics. From the early days of primitive wrestling to the pits of yubi lakpi, Indians have always found ways to entertain and create unique pastimes for themselves.
What are the modern trends in Indian sports? While many of the traditional favorites have stood the test of time, there are always interesting twists that fans are putting on their beloved games. Let’s take a closer look.
Online sports betting
Since the world has started moving online, Indians have definitely followed the trend. Online betting has proven to be a reliable and convenient way for people to share their love of sport and potentially win big on their favorite teams. Indeed, sports betting sites in India have proliferated in previously unforeseen numbers recently.
And what sports are people betting on? Topping the list is cricket, which is much beloved not only in South Asia but all over the Commonwealth. Not far behind is horse racing, and football comes in at #3. Indians can now bet on football games with ease and potentially build up big savings if they are savvy about it. Other favorites include field hockey and kabaddi.
Animal-inspired sports
India is also home to a number of national sports events that are very specifically their own. Although the rest of the world might raise their eyebrows at some of these traditions, they are taken very seriously in the country. A fair number of these involve the use of animals.
Elephant polo
Although it probably sounds like a contradiction in ideas, this unusual style of polo is in fact still quite popular in India. One might think that the animals are too clumsy and the players too far from the ground to be able to play effectively, but this is hardly the case.
Indeed, both players and spectators alike enjoy this alternative version of the famous sport, and it even has a presence outside of India. Although there is some concern among animal rights activists about potential harm to the elephants, it remains popular to this day.
Horse and camel race
Aside from internationally popular sports, Indians also celebrate traditions that are uniquely their own. One of these is an annual horse and camel race that takes place in Rajasthan every October or November.
Not only is this competition exciting to see who wins, but it is also a visual spectacle to behold. Participants dress their animals in a range of bright and varied colors, and it is a haven for casual spectators and photographers alike. If you’re looking for an unusual and truly unique national event, you should check this out.
Unique national festivals and races
Kerala boat race
This isn’t your standard boat race. The Kerala Vallam Kali Boat Race is held each year to celebrate the harvest festival Onam. It consists of paddle boats with up to 128 people and participants have to be super coordinated to keep their boats going at a constant speed.
This exciting annual race series attracts spectators from all over India. It includes a number of different races with boats of varying sizes. The race of Chudan Vallam is arguably the most popular.
Kila Raipur Sports Festival
This annual Punjabi event is often referred to by Indians as the “rural Olympics.” It features such events as cart races, different types of athletic events, and even unusual events like rope pulling. Over 4000 people participate in the festival every year, and it takes place over the course of four days. The festival was first held in 1933, and it has been going strong ever since then, attracting people from all over the country and even foreigners.
No slowing down soon
Indians take great pride in their sporting traditions. With a mix of old and new, the country is indeed a venerable mecca of sport activity. Whatever your interests – be they Commonwealth sports, festivals of different sorts, or even unusual ancient traditional activities – you can find it all in India. Just be sure to check the calendar and be sure you’ve got the right date; some festivals shift according to different timescales. And if you’re not able to travel, simply go online and try your hand at online betting. You might just make it big!
Image by Mudassir Ali on Unsplash
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