A dangal season in India is way more prestigious than a lot of mainstream events in the country. For a small sport such as this, its earning is staggering. Just as mat wrestling, dangal too has its own set of heroes – Jassa Patti, Mausam Khattri, and Bania Amin –who can gather immense crowd just by stepping in the mud let alone wrestle.
The season of dangal is divided into two parts: The first half is held in March, April and May in Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. After a month’s break in July, another three-month season takes place in Punjab.
Many competitions are held between these two periods giving the wrestlers are a chance to earn lakhs in cash in just one season.
Here are some most prestigious Dangals competitions in India:
Maharashtra Kesari:
It was established in 1961 by Maharasthra. Initially, there was just a cash prize to the winner but since 1982, on wrestler Mamasaheb Mohol initiation a silver mace was also given. As of 2008, the winner received the silver mace and Rs 51,000 as a prize. Later in 2015, the cash prize was raised to Rs one lakh. The winner is also eligible to apply for government jobs under sports quota.
Harshwardhan Sadgir is current (2019) Maharashtra Kesari. Narsingh Yadav holds the record of winning three titles consecutively from 2011 to 2013. Yuvraj Patil holds the record of being the youngest winner at the age of 17.
Rustam-e-Hind:
Probably the most coveted title in dangal in India. Rustam-e-Hind means ‘Champion of India’ and Vishnupant Nagrale was the first wrestler ever to hold this title. Besides, his Dara Singh from Punjab and Harishchangra Birajadar from Maharashtra have also won the title.
Bharat Kesari:
It is one of the most well-paying competitions in India. Organized by the Haryana government, the prize money for the winner is Rs one crore. The second and third place gets Rs 50 lakh and Rs 25 lakh respectively.
Hind Kesari:
One of the oldest competitions in India. The first Hind Kesari tournament was held in 1958, with Ramchandra Babu winning it. The competition is held every year with the 2017 event being fought in Pune. Sumit Kumar from Delhi won that edition.
Roun-Domail Kesari Dangal and Majalta Kesari Dangal:
The tournament is held in Jammu and Kashmir. It cash prize if Rs 71,000 and Rs 75,000 respectively. Roun-Domail is held in May, while Majalta Kesari takes place in June.
