Vajra Mushti Kalaga cancelled at Mysuru Dasara; wrestlers blame police restrictions

The traditional Vajra Mushti Kalaga, an ancient form of martial combat in which two wrestlers strike each other on the shaved head with knuckledusters, was cancelled on Vijayadashami after the police allegedly prevented some wrestlers from entering the Mysuru Palace premises in time.

The Vajra Mushti Kalaga is a centuries-old sporting tradition patronised by the Wadiyars of Mysuru. Wrestlers from the Jetti community enter the arena and strike their opponents with knuckledusters. The wrestler who draws blood from the opponent’s head first is declared the winner.

The event is traditionally held ahead of the Vijaya Yatra and Banni Pooja as part of the private ceremonial procession conducted by the titular head of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family.

On Wednesday (October 21), however, the traditional wrestling bout was called off after some wrestlers reportedly failed to reach the arena in time. A member of the Jetti community blamed the delay on the police allegedly preventing them from entering the palace premises.

“We had reached the palace on time, but the police refused to let us in. They said our passes had to be scanned and kept us waiting,” the community member alleged.

While wrestlers selected for the bouts from Bengaluru and Chamarajanagar managed to enter the palace, those from Mysuru and Ramanagara could not reach the arena in time, another member of the Jetti community said.

According to sources, the palace authorities did not want to let the auspicious time for the Vijaya Yatra pass and decided to cancel the Vajra Mushti Kalaga and proceed with the private procession.