Crowds throng Raichur to witness spectacular bull power contest at Mungaru Habba
The Hindu
The traditional bull power contest is the highlight of the Mungaru Samskritika Habba, which continues to grow in stature, blending tradition, culture, and community spirit in a celebration that brings together people from across the region.
The second day of the Mungaru Samskritika Raichur Habba drew massive crowds as the highlight event — the traditional bull power contest — captivated spectators with its sheer scale and intensity. Held at the Rajendra Ganj ground, the competition featured pairs of massive bulls dragging boulders weighing two tonnes, showcasing strength and endurance in a thrilling spectacle.
The All-India open competition was inaugurated by Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji of Suttur mutt and Mallikarjun Vishwaradhya Shivacharya Mahabhagavatpada of Kashipitha. Their presence added spiritual gravitas to the cultural celebration, which continues to gain fans in the region.
Ten pairs of bulls from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh participated in the contest, which drew an overwhelming number of spectators from across the region. The sheer size and power of the bulls, especially those from Andhra and Telangana, left the audience in awe. Crowds lined the field and perched atop nearby shops to witness the event, cheering enthusiastically as the bulls shook the ground while dragging the massive stones.
In the fiercely contested challenge, bulls were judged based on the distance they could drag a two-tonne boulder within a 20-minute time frame.
The top honours were claimed by Vajrala Tejaswi Reddy’s pair from Santamagaluru village in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, which managed to drag the 2-tonne boulder an impressive 3,913 feet. For this feat, the owner received ₹90,000 in cash along with a commemorative memento.
Close behind were Shravan Kumar’s bulls from Chandrakala village in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, which covered 3,900 feet to earn the second prize of ₹65,000.
The third prize went to Jakkala Sahasra Yadav’s pair from Hudur Nagar in Suryapet district of Telangana, which dragged the boulder 3,163 feet and received a cash prize of ₹55,000.
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