Lalkuti Vyayamshala Akhara

Preparing for the Nag Panchami Festival at Lalkuti Vyayamshala Akhara. Nag Panchami is also known as the Cobra Festival. This video was recorded in August 2019.

Thank You

First of all, I would like to thank everyone at Lalkuti Vyayamshala Akhara for inviting me to this special evening and allowing me to film the events of the evening.

Pratyay Singh

Also, my thanks go to Pratyay Singh for helping to arrange this visit and guide me around Varanasi and arranging my visit to Lalkuti Vyayamshala Akhara.

Gada and Jori

In this video, you will see the Gada and Jori being swung at Lalkuti Vyayamshala Akhara. The weights get heavier as the evening progresses. To complete the picture you should understand that the temperature and humidity are very high and do not cool down.

Hand Made

All the equipment you will see is traditionally handmade. The Gada is notable because there is no weight in the handle and all in the head, which is very different when compared to the western made steel mace.

The Weight Triples

The weight of the Gada head triples by the time it reaches the lowest point of the swing at the back of the body.

Transverse Turn

Note the heavy Gadas are launched using a transverse turn of the shoulders and torso, with the handle sliding on the athletes back which is oiled with mustard oil.

Sliding Technique

The Jori are swung using a similar sliding technique, with the skin and clubs oiled with mustard oil. The construction of the Jori is wooden, which is shaped by hand or on a lathe. Iron collars are added to increase the weight.