DHARASHIV

The people of Dharashiv, from urban to rural areas, engage in a variety of traditional games that have been passed down through generations. These include atya patya, gotya, viti dandu, langdi, and lagori.

Dharashiv has also produced notable sports personalities. Kho-kho player Sarika Kale led Maharashtra to national championships and India to international victories, earning prestigious awards. Cricketers Mohsin Sayyed, Naushad Shaikh, and Rajvardhan Hangargekar have all represented Maharashtra with distinction. Furthermore, there is a strong culture of training for competitive sports like cricket, kabaddi, wrestling, hockey, and football in Dharashiv. In recent years, more women have been taking up these sports as well. While not everyone aspires to be a professional athlete, many residents engage in sports recreationally. Morning walks and fitness routines are also common, with people often walking to their farms.

Atya patya is a traditional tag sport played by two teams of nine players each. It is more popular in rural Maharashtra, including rural areas in Dharashiv. Atya patya is described as a "game of feints." The playing area consists of nine trenches (marked using chalk powder), which emerge from either side of a central trench. A point is awarded to the attacking team's players for each trench they cross without being tagged out by the defensive players within the trenches. The game ends after four innings (scoring turns) of seven minutes each, with each team having two innings to score. It has also been described as a game of "militant chase."

Surparambya is often played on banyan trees, involving a group of players jumping from branch to branch without letting their feet touch the ground. The objective is for the players to form a single group, with one designated as the "ruler". The other players must then try to jump from tree to tree, while the ruler attempts to knock them off the branches. If a player's foot touches the ground, they are considered to have "fallen" and are out of the game, with the fallen player then being ruled by the winner. The name of the game may have originated from the “sur”, or jump, made from one tree to another. This game requires significant physical strength, especially in the hands and grip, as players must be able to hold onto the tree branches for extended periods.

Various games are played using gotya (marbles). In one of the popular games involving marbles, a circle approximately 2-3 ft. in diameter is drawn on the floor using a stick or stone. Each player contributes 2 goals each to start the game. All the marbles are collected in the centre of the circle. To determine the turn for players, a line is drawn approximately 3 ft. from the circle. Players stand in another row and try to drop their marbles into the circle. The person whose marble is closest to the circle may play first, followed by the second closest.

To play the game, players try to hit a ball with another ball. The player shoots by holding the marble firmly in the index finger of the left hand, then using the pressure of the index finger of the right hand to stretch the finger back like a bowstring, and finally releasing the finger so that the marble flies forward. Every time, the thumb of the left hand should touch the ground firmly. Players take turns knocking marbles through the circle. They get to keep the marbles they take out of the circle. The game ends when there are no marbles left in the circle. The player with the most marbles wins the game.

Vitti Dandu is a traditional game played with two wooden sticks, one larger (called dandu) and one smaller (vitti). The vitti, pointed at both ends, is placed over a small pit called the "gal" or "gali." Players can participate individually or in teams. The game begins with a toss to decide who will start, for which a flat stone is picked and spat on one side to create two distinct sides for the toss (wet and dry). The first player uses the larger stick to hit the smaller stick, trying to throw it into the air. As the smaller stick flies, the fielding players attempt to catch it. If a player catches it, the striker is out. If not, the striker scores points based on how far the smaller stick lands from the pit. Points are measured using the larger stick, with different scoring methods depending on how the stick was hit and how many times it was struck mid-air. The objective is to hit the vitti as far as possible and accumulate the most points.

Langdi is a unique team sport played between two sides, where the winning team in a coin toss takes on the role of the defenders. The chasing team sends out their chasers, who must hop on a single foot as they attempt to tag the defenders. The chasers can step out of the playing area as long as they maintain their single-foot hop, while the defenders must remain within the designated area. If a defender steps out or commits a line fault, they are declared out. The team that tags the most defenders is declared the winner.

A member of one team (the seekers) throws a ball at a pile of stones in an attempt to knock them over. The seekers try to restore the pile while staying safe from the opposing team's (the hitters) throws. The hitters' objective is to hit the seekers with the ball before they can reconstruct the stone pile. If the ball touches a seeker, that seeker is out, and the team from which the seeker came continues, without the seeker. A seeker can always safeguard themselves by touching an opposite team member before the ball hits the seeker.

Additional rules:

• Throwing Distance Limitation: The throwing seeker cannot come too close to the piled-up stones while attempting to knock them over. They have to do so from behind a line marked on the ground.
• Three Strikes Rule: If the person trying to knock down the pile cannot do it in three tries, they are considered out.
• Caught Ball Rule: If the thrower's ball does not knock down the pile and is caught by an opponent four times after the first bounce, then the thrower is out.
• Equal Team Size: Each team contains an equal number of players.
• Initial Pile Size: Piles of flat stones contain 7 stones.
• No Running with the Ball: Hitters cannot run with the ball to hit the seekers.
• Announcing Reconstruction: The seeker, after restoring the pile of stones, says the game's name to announce the reconstruction of the pile of stones.
• Out on Direct Hit: If the ball is thrown by the thrower and hits the piles, and the opposite member catches the ball, then he is out.

Kabaddi, a traditional Indian sport, has gained attention as a competitive sport in Dharashiv. In November, over 500 women gathered from various parts of the state to participate in a state-level women’s open kabaddi tournament held in Tuljapur, Dharashiv district. Organised by the Ekal Mahila Sanghatana, a collective of single women, the tournament provided a much-needed break from the daily hardships faced by many of the participants, who are primarily from rural backgrounds. The event was more than just a sports competition; it was a symbol of empowerment and a challenge to the conservative norms that restrict women's freedom in these areas. The tournament saw women from different districts, including Beed, Nanded, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Latur, competing with great enthusiasm despite their lack of resources and social support.

The event highlighted the determination and resilience of the women, many of whom had to overcome significant barriers to participate. For instance, some players concealed their participation from their families, while others borrowed sports clothes and played in sarees or burqas to negotiate their space in a restrictive society. The tournament was entirely managed by the activists of the Ekal Mahila Sanghatana, who raised funds, prepared the grounds, and ensured smooth operations without any support from civic bodies or sports associations. This grassroots effort not only brought the sport to the forefront but also showcased how kabaddi can break down social barriers and empower women from various backgrounds.

Football has grown significantly as a competitive sport in Dharashiv, with local teams showing promising performances in various tournaments. In the WIFA Women's Inter-District Championship held at Jalgaon, Dharashiv played a thrilling match against Nashik, securing a narrow victory with a goal scored by Swati Telang in the 21st minute of the second half. The match was intense, with Nashik launching continuous counter-attacks, but Dharashiv’s strong defence, despite receiving a yellow card for an aggressive tackle by Sakshi Gaurav, ensured they maintained their lead.  The tournament saw other high-scoring matches, such as Jalgaon's dominant 9-0 victory over Washim and Palghar's 5-0 win against Dhule, showcasing the competitive spirit and skill levels across various districts.

Wrestling holds a special place in the sporting culture of Dharashiv, where traditional wrestling academies, known as akharas, continue to nurture young talent. The Hatlai Kusti Sankul on the outskirts of Dharashiv city is one such academy that has produced promising wrestlers like Rushikesh Ghadge. Moving from Latur to Dharashiv for better training facilities, Rushikesh represents the dedication of many young athletes in the region. Coaches like Kiran Jawalge play vital roles in shaping these athletes, offering free accommodation and mentoring, thus enabling them to pursue their passion despite financial constraints.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted wrestling activities in the district. With tournaments halted and training sessions irregular, many wrestlers have been forced to abandon their dreams due to financial hardships. Maintaining a wrestler’s diet and training regimen is expensive, and the lack of competitive events has dried up a crucial source of income.

Sarika Kale is a famous kho-kho player from Dharashiv. She became the captain of the Maharashtra women's state kho-kho team in 2010 and led them to win three national championships. In 2015, she was chosen for the Indian women's national kho-kho team and was made captain for the 2016 South Asian Games. Under her leadership, the team won both the South Asian Games and the Third Asian Kho-Kho Championship. She even won the match-winner award in the final against Bangladesh.

Sarika's story is inspiring as she comes from a poor family in Umbre Kota village, Dharashiv district. Her family faced many financial struggles, but they supported her passion for kho-kho. Despite these challenges, Sarika's talent was recognised, and she received the Shiv Chhatrapati Award in 2016 and the prestigious Arjun Award in 2020. Her father, mother, and grandmother played a big role in helping her become a successful kho-kho player.

Mohsin Sayyed, born 28 September 1995 at Paranda, Dharashiv, is an Indian cricketer. He made his first-class debut for Maharashtra in the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy on 13 October 2016. Former cricketer and coach Surendra Bhave described Sayyed as "a young investment" and "pretty consistent" after taking 18 wickets in six matches. Before his first-class debut, Sayyed was named in India's squad for the 2012 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. However, he was ruled out of the tournament after being diagnosed with dengue fever.

Naushad Shaikh, born on 15 October 1991 in Dharashiv, is an Indian cricketer who has played in over 100 matches across all three formats since his debut in 2015. He made his first-class debut for Maharashtra in the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy on 13 October 2016, and his Twenty20 debut for Maharashtra in the 2016–17 Inter-State Twenty-20 Tournament on 29 January 2017. Ahead of the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy, Shaikh was appointed as the captain of the Maharashtra team for the tournament.

Rajvardhan Hangargekar is an Indian cricketer who plays for Maharashtra in domestic cricket and Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. Born on 10 November 2002 in Tuljapur, Dharashiv, he made his Twenty20 debut on 16 January 2021 and his List A debut on 21 February 2021. He was selected for India's team in the 2022 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for Chennai Super Kings on 31 March 2023. Hangargekar also impressed in the 2023 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, picking up five wickets for 42 runs against Pakistan A, guiding India A to a resounding victory. However, in 2022, Maharashtra State Sports Commissioner Omprakash Bakoria wrote to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking "strict action" against Hangargekar for alleged age fraud, which remains unresolved. He spent three years playing for Chennai Super Kings (2022-25). He also took a three-wicket haul on his Indian Premier League debut in 2023. As of 2025, he plays for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.