Wrestling Photography at Guru Hanuman Akhada – Documenting India’s Traditional Wrestling Culture 

Guru Hanuman Akhada in Delhi is one of the most legendary wrestling training centers in India. Founded by the iconic wrestling coach Guru Hanuman, the Akhada has produced several internationally recognized wrestlers and remains deeply respected within Indian wrestling culture even today.

Over the decades, Guru Hanuman Akhada has been associated with some of India’s most celebrated wrestlers, including:

• Satpal Singh

• Kartar Singh

• Sushil Kumar

• Yogeshwar Dutt

• Amit Kumar

• Various Commonwealth, Asian Games, and Olympic-level wrestlers

For me, getting the opportunity to photograph inside this historic Akhada was not just another sports assignment—it was an immersive experience into the discipline, simplicity, and dedication that define Indian wrestling at its roots.

Getting Access to Guru Hanuman Akhada

I was able to access the Akhada through Praveen Pehelwan, one of the lead coaches associated with the wrestling setup and himself an experienced wrestler who has represented India in competitions.

Praveen Pehelwan welcomed me warmly and helped me understand the culture, traditions, and discipline followed inside the Akhada.

To fully experience the training environment, I had to reach the venue by around 6 a.m., which is when the wrestlers begin their intense warm-up sessions.

Witnessing the Discipline of Indian Wrestlers

One of the most humbling aspects of visiting Guru Hanuman Akhada was witnessing the lifestyle and dedication of the wrestlers training there.

Most of the athletes come from simple backgrounds, but inside the Akhada, personal struggles and outside distractions are left behind. Their entire focus revolves around:

• Wrestling training

• Physical conditioning

• Nutrition and recovery

• Discipline and routine

The wrestlers often spend 5–6 hours training every day, balancing physical exertion with recovery and nutrition.

Watching this level of commitment firsthand was deeply inspiring.

Morning Training & Traditional Warm-Ups

Before the actual wrestling sessions begin, the wrestlers undergo highly demanding physical warm-ups.

These included:

• High-repetition push-ups

• Rope climbing exercises

• Running and mobility drills

• Strength conditioning routines

The intensity of these warm-ups alone demonstrated the physical endurance required in traditional Indian wrestling.

The Akhada atmosphere during early morning hours felt raw, disciplined, and deeply rooted in tradition.

Respecting the Soil – A Sacred Ritual

One of the most unique traditions I witnessed at Guru Hanuman Akhada was how wrestlers prepared the mud pit before training.

Before stepping into the wrestling area, the wrestlers collectively flattened and prepared the soil using:

• Wooden logs

• Ropes

• Manual leveling techniques

This process was not just functional—it symbolized respect for the ground and for the sport itself.

Traditional mud wrestling in India treats the Akhada almost like a sacred training space, and this ritual reflected the humility and discipline embedded within wrestling culture.

Photographing Wrestling Action & Emotions

Once training began, the environment transformed into a display of raw athleticism and technique.

The wrestlers practiced:

• Grappling techniques

• Throws and takedowns

• One-on-one sparring sessions

• Strength-based positional movements

Photographing these moments was visually powerful because the mud, sweat, physical strain, and emotional intensity created highly dramatic storytelling opportunities.

I also photographed athletes such as Jhonty Gujar, who has represented India and earned recognition in wrestling competitions.

The combination of natural light, flying mud, physical motion, and emotional focus made this one of the most rewarding sports photography experiences I have had.

Traditional Nutrition & Recovery

Another fascinating part of the experience was observing the wrestlers’ post-training nutrition routines.

After intense training sessions, the athletes consumed traditional energy drinks made from:

• Crushed almonds

• Water or milk mixtures

• Hand-prepared natural ingredients

The almond mixture would be carefully sieved through muslin cloth to create almond milk, which was then consumed for recovery and nourishment.

I documented much of this preparation process as well, which added a deeper storytelling layer beyond just action photography.

Hospitality & Human Connection

One of the things that stood out most to me was the humility and warmth shown by the wrestlers and coaches.

Praveen Pehelwan personally offered me:

• Water

• Juice

• Food after the session

Although I only accepted the juice, the gesture itself reflected the welcoming and grounded culture within the Akhada.

He later also invited me to witness a traditional Dangal competition, which eventually led to another major wrestling photography experience for me in Narela.

A Deeply Humbling Experience

More than photography, Guru Hanuman Akhada became a deeply emotional and motivational experience for me.

Seeing wrestlers dedicate their entire lives to the sport with limited comforts and immense discipline gave me a new perspective on:

• Passion

• Sacrifice

• Consistency

• Pursuit of excellence

The Akhada environment showed me how sport can become a way of life rather than just competition.

Final Thoughts

Photographing at Guru Hanuman Akhada was one of the most authentic and culturally rich sports photography experiences in my journey so far.

From the early morning warm-ups to the mud wrestling rituals, nutritional preparation, and emotional intensity of training, every moment reflected the deep-rooted tradition of Indian wrestling.

It not only improved my understanding of combat sports photography but also left a lasting personal impact on me as a storyteller and photographer.

The experience strengthened my desire to continue documenting India’s traditional sports culture and bring greater visibility to the athletes and institutions that preserve it.