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Introduction
The Bailanchi Sharyat is a traditional sport of Maharashtra. In this Bailanchi sharyat, a special category of bull is used; the name of that breed is khillar. Around 25 years ago, every farmer of Maharashtra has khillar cow on their doorstep, but nowdays due to a ban on bull cart racing and continous led decline, the population of the khillar breed in Maharashtra and it came to an end. The Bailanchi Sharyat is 400 years old sport. Why did the ban bring it? The reason is that, according to the Bailanchi shariyat, the bulls were tortured. After r the Supreme Court imposed a ban on it, many farmers sold their bulls in pairs. Bull racing is the oldest traditional sport of Pune and Ahmadnagar. This only type of bull racing in which bulls are left alone. This race is organised after the monsoon season in fairs and festivals.
History and Timeline
As the economy of Maharashtra’s rural belt depends on agriculture, cattle play an important part in the family. As the pets in the house become an important part of the chattels, they also become an important part, as they are the source of food and money in the house. There are festivals celebrated to give rest to the. On Bailpola, the bulls in the home are given a bath with warm water, done message, and also decorated with colours and different types of ornaments, and on that day, the favourite food item of the bulls is made. People also do “Aukshan” (which means the arti is done by lifting the diya) of the bulls. In some of the houses, the {Puran} is also made. The History of this race dates back 450 years, where, after the monsoon, to test the strength of the bulls, friendly races are organised. These races later on converted into community celebrations, which attracted the crowd towards the villages.
Bailanchi Sharyat is popular in:
· Kolhapur
· Sangli
· Satara
· Solapur
· Pune rural belt
· Marathwada region
Different villages host races during local fairs or annual jatras.
Types of Shariyat
- Chhakdi Shariyat – Chhakdi Shariyat is played in western Maharashtra. It’s a competitive sport and game. In this race odd number of carts are released, such as 5, 7, or 9 at the same time. In this race, the bullock carts have to cover 1200 feet. The weight of the cart, which is dragged by a pair of bull is around 70 to 80 kg. The pair of bull which completes the race first becomes the winner. For the bullock carts, a mud track were build by locals. This game is played in Yatara.
- Shankarpat(Vidarbha) – Shankarpat is a competition played in the Vidarbha region. In this sport, 2 carts participate at a time. In this race, the bullock cart has to cover 450 feet. The bullock cart which completes the race in the shortest time wins the race.
- Shembi Gonda – A special type of bull race organised in Nashik, Ahmednagar, Rahuri and Sinnar. In this race, a horse and a bull are paired. In this race, the driver sits on the cart and in race two pairs at a time run. In this race, the pair has to cover 1000 feet distance which pair that completes the race goes forward. This cycle continues until the final round. This is the only race in which two different types of animal is paired in a race.
- Aarta parth Shariyat – Aarta parth Shariyat is played in sangli and kolhapur district. This is the only race in all over maharashtra in which the bullock cart has to cover 5 to 6 kilometres. In this race, about 15 to 20 pair partticipate at a time. The weight of the cart is around 100 kg, and 2 drivers were allowed to sit on the cart. In this race, groups are divided according to the number and size of teeth and horns. This competition has expensive winning prizes. Some of the bulls who have won three consecutive years have given a kitab of Hindisari kitab.
Movies on Shariyat
There are movies and documentaries based on the Bailanchi Shariyat. These movies showcase many things from the rural belt of Maharashtra that the article fails to tell in words; the emotions that cannot be told are shown here. even in some parts of the thane, these are also shown.
- Sharyat (2011) — feature film
- Naad Ekach Fakt Bailgada Sharyat (2023) — movie / short film about Bailgada Sharyat
- These are the 2 main films on this topic. There are more than 8 to 10 films and short documentaries on this topic
Conclusion
Bailanchi Sharyat transcends being a race; it represents a tribute to Maharashtra’s countryside spirit, uniting farmers, their kin, and cherished bullocks in a display of pride and solidarity. Firmly anchored in customs, this festival embodies the relationship between people and animals forged through years of labour and partnership in farming. Although contemporary rules and animal welfare issues have changed the form of how these races are celebrated, the heartfelt bond and traditional importance continue to endure. Today, communities are finding safer ways to preserve this heritage, blending tradition with responsibility. In doing so, Bailanchi Sharyat continues to stand as a living reminder of Maharashtra’s spirit, one that honours its past while embracing a thoughtful, evolving future. We often admire the cultures of foreign countries but ignore our own. As the culture of the bullock race is glorified, the bull race in Maharashtra is not that glorified. The cultures of our country are more sacred than those of other countries. No one is telling us to spread hatred about other cultures, but let’s not forget about our own roots, where we come from.
References
- https://utsav.gov.in/view-event/bull-cart-race-event-1
- aamtv.esakal.com/maharashtra/supreme-court-verdict-validates-state-laws-regarding-bailgada-sharyat-and-jallikattu-cbj91
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/maharashtra-passes-legislation-to-resume-bullock-cart-race/articleshow/58050560.cms?utm
- https://mr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A4
- https://bbra.co.in/
- https://marathi.ndtv.com/maharashtra/pusegaon-yatra-bailgada-sharyat-2025-lakshya-and-sachin-bail-jodi-won-hindkesari-maidan-watch-final-video-9829636?utm
- https://www.tv9marathi.com/videos/sangli-sreenath-kesari-bailgada-sharyat-2025-chandrahara-patil-borgaon-thrills-1532174.html?utm_