akhada

Akhada, also spelled akhara, is a traditional Indian wrestling gym or training ground where kushti, the classical form of Indian wrestling, is taught and practiced. The term is used across North and South Asia to refer to a practice hall, club, or school dedicated to wrestling disciplines and related physical training.

A typical akhada houses a training area with a clay or dirt pit for live grappling, along with spaces for instruction, conditioning, and often living quarters for wrestlers and their coaches. Training emphasizes strength, flexibility, balance, and technique, combining calisthenics, running, and drills with grappling and throwing exercises. The discipline is usually imparted through a guru–shishya (teacher–student) relationship, and instruction is often passed down within families or lineages.

Wrestlers in akhadas adhere to routines that may include early morning training, strict diet, and a focus on endurance and resilience. The practice is closely associated with the broader culture of dangals, village or city tournaments where wrestlers from different akhadas compete in matches that showcase technique and stamina.

Historically, akhadas have been important centers of physical culture in rural and urban India, contributing to social mobility, community identity, and traditional sport. In modern times, many akhadas continue to train competitive athletes who participate at district, state, and national levels, while some also promote women’s wrestling and international participation. The akhada system remains a visible element of India’s sporting and cultural landscape.