SINDHUDURG

Bail-gada shariyat, or bullock cart races, were once a common tradition across rural Maharashtra, including Sindhudurg district. The races were banned in 2011, but in 2017, the State government enacted legislation to restart the races. However, the Bombay High Court stayed the legislation, and the Supreme Court initially declined to lift the stay, referring the matter to a larger bench. In 2021, the Supreme Court upheld the State’s legislation, thereby legalizing the races once more.

Similar games are played in Tamil Nadu, where it is known as ‘Jallikattu', also known as 'eruthazhuvuthal', and is played as part of the Pongal harvest festival. The Bail Gada shariyats of Maharashtra resemble the 'Kambala' race, held in Karnataka between November and March, which involves a pair of buffaloes tied to a plow and anchored by one person. They are made to run in parallel muddy tracks in a competition in which the fastest team wins.

In the lead-up to the Shimga festival (refer to fairs and festivals), a large teak tree is felled and its leaves are removed, leaving only the trunk. This trunk, known as a "Dhal Kathi" or "Jhel Kathi," is carried by the village's men to the home of a respected individual, known as Mankari, where it is worshiped and revered. The following day, the trunk is paraded through the village with great pomp and show, accompanied by music and celebration. It is then brought to the GavDevi Mandir, that is the village Mandir, where it is ceremoniously placed in a designated spot. This arduous task, demonstrating the strength and unity of the village, is a precursor to the start of the Shimga festival.

In the past, this tradition was often seen as a competition between different Vadis within the villages to test for the strongest one.

Ganjifa are playing cards whose origin can be traced back to Persia. It was brought to India by the Mughals in the 16th Century. It is said that ‘Ganj’ is a Persian term meaning 'treasure, treasury or hoard' while others suggest it is from the Persian word ‘ganjifeh’ meaning ‘playing cards’. The art of ganjifa was introduced to Sawantwadi around the 16th century by Telangana Brahmins. The art flourished under the patronage of the Sawant Bhonsle rulers. During the 18th and 19th centuries, various schools of this craft were started in Sawantwadi. However, the art form declined near the time of Independence. The revival journey began when H.H. Rajesaheb Shivramraje Bhonsle visited the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and noticed a label reading Sawantwadi Cards. He and his wife, themselves, learnt the art from the 80-year-old artist Pundalik Chitari, who at that time would make 2 sets of Ganjifa for a year. They started Sawantwadi Lacquerwares to revive and promote the art of Ganjifa and Lacquerware. Their objective was to teach this art to the younger generation so that it could be carried forward. Ganjifa designs are characterized by floral and mythological motifs hand-painted in vivid colors on various types of wooden objects. This art form had almost disappeared by the early 20th century, but was saved from extinction. Sawantwadi is the only remaining place in India where the ancient art of ganjifa is still practised.

Cricket is the most popular sport in the district. Various local cricket tournaments are held in the district at various places; notably, the Lt. Shri Rajan Bhai Angane Premier League (U-16 tournament), Shirshinge Premier League, Devgad Shikshak Samiti Cricket League, etc. These tournaments are usually played by using the soft tennis ball instead of the leather balls used otherwise. The sport also remains the most played and watched game in the district. Teenagers and children in the rural regions of the district play Cricket as a recreational sport using empty farms as a ground, especially during the seasons when the farms are left fallow.

Football hasn’t gained a foothold in the district yet, though people still know of the sport and play it often. The Sindhudurg District Football Association (SDFA) under the Western Indian Football Association (WIFA) promotes and trains footballers in the district. The Sindhudurg team (managed by SDFA) also participates in various state-level events that are organised by the WIFA.

Sindhudurg is blessed with stunning beaches and a picturesque coastline. These elements make it a perfect spot for a variety of water sports, enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Popular beaches such as Tarkarli Beach, Malvan Beach, Vengurla Beach, and Devgad Beach offer exciting activities like jet skiing, banana boat rides, parasailing, kayaking, diving and beach volleyball, ensuring endless fun for adventure seekers.

Himani Parab, a renowned Mallakhamb player from Sindhudurg, became the first female Mallakhamb player to receive the Arjuna Award in 2021 at the age of 20. She began learning the sport at the age of five at Shree Samartha Vyayam Mandir (SSVM), Dadar. In 2019, she won four gold and two bronze medals at the first Mallakhamb World Championship held in Mumbai. Parab was also part of the Indian squad at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, not as a participant, but as a demonstrator of Mallakhamb at the Olympic level.

Nikhil Shankar Naik, born on 9 November 1994 in Sawantwadi, is a cricketer who plays for the Maharashtra cricket team. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional wicket-keeper. He made his List A debut for Maharashtra on 27 February 2014 in the 2013–14 Vijay Hazare Trophy. In 2015, he was signed by the Indian Premier League franchise Kings XI Punjab for ₹30 lakh.

He made his first-class debut for Maharashtra in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy on 7 January 2019. In December 2018, he was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the player auction for the 2019 Indian Premier League. During the 2019 season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he hit five sixes in an over against Railways at the Holkar Stadium. Although released by the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the 2020 IPL auction, he was re-signed by them for the 2020 season.

The district has a few stadiums that are used by athletes for various purposes. These venues also host local matches and tournaments, especially cricket. Among them, the Sunil Gavaskar Stadium in Vengurla and the Gymkhana Stadium in Sawantwadi are quite popular. The Gymkhana Stadium, owned by the Nagar Parishad of Sawantwadi, is a multi-purpose facility attached to a swimming pool and cricket ground. Both stadiums are considered well-maintained.