THE RELIGIOUS SOURCE OF MARTIAL ARTS Spirit Warrior
ASIAN Geographic|AG 158
Over the centuries, martial arts have travelled far beyond their places of origin and become some of the greatest sports ever devised. In contemporary culture, names like Jackie Chan and Jet Li have broken language barriers, transcended cultural differences and made martial arts the go-to commercial success, embraced by billions and eventually influencing many Hollywood movies.
Tri Huu Luu
THE RELIGIOUS SOURCE OF MARTIAL ARTS Spirit Warrior

For many, kung fu is synonymous with the warrior Buddhist monks at the famous Shaolin Temple. Commercially, martial arts legend Bruce Lee comes to mind. Looking at muay thai (Thai kick boxing), we think of its lethal punches and kicks. In India, kushti (Indian wrestling) takes the prominent prize with its exotic and spiritual devotion that is the cornerstone of the sport.

Chinese martial arts, Indian wrestling and muay thai have thousands of years of history, all of which stem from religious sources.

They take vows to live the simple life – no alcohol and smoking. This also includes a life of celibacy. 

Kushti

It is a few minutes past 6am and the morning light has not yet broken through the thick layer of fog over the sugar cane fields. Most of Kolhapur is still asleep. The nearby Hindu temple starts sounding its bells. A small number of elderly devotees make their way to the shrine for morning worship.

Kolhapur is a small town, home to half a million friendly people. It is about 400 kilometres south of Mumbai, with a cool climate. It is also an ideal place for training in the sport of kushti.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة AG 158 من ASIAN Geographic.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة AG 158 من ASIAN Geographic.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

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