Vajra Mushti Kalaga canceled in Mysuru Dasara; Wrestlers blame police restrictions

Vajra Mushti Kalaga, an ancient martial art form, could not take place as scheduled on Wednesday (October 21). | Photo credit: MA Sriram

The traditional Vajra Mushti Kalaga, an ancient form of combat in which two wrestlers hit a shaved head with knuckles, was canceled on Vijayadashami after police allegedly prevented some wrestlers from entering the Mysuru Palace grounds in time.

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

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

But on Wednesday (October 21), the traditional wrestling match was called off after some wrestlers reportedly failed to make it to the arena in time. A member of the Jetti community blamed the delay on the police, who allegedly prevented them from entering the palace premises.

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

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

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

Published – 21 Oct 2026 20:57 IST