The chapter investigates Indian mud wrestling or mitti kushti. Wrestling in India, and particularly in Varanasi, goes back to ancient times. Being a wrestler is a way of ascetic living, implying not only intensive physical training, but also a code of ethics, personal hygiene and specific diet, celibacy, sexual abstinence, devotion, discipline and a multitude of other moral values. This unique sport requires a balancing of the body and spirit - it is a worship offered to the deepest human values, to the world of gods, to an ideal.
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The images were taken at the Akhara Bara Ganesha in Varanasi. The daily training takes place in an arena called akhara. A guruji directs an akhara, dictates its rules. He is the backbone of the place. He defines the objectives and sanctions if they are needed. In addition to his role as coach, he is the leader of the akhara.