Residents of a village in southern India took part in an unusual strength competition on Friday (January 15) by taking turns to try to lift enormous, round stones.

The event, known locally as "Illavattakal", took place in Srivalliputhur village in the Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu state.

Competitors were challenged to lift a 110-kilo stone off the ground with the winner receiving a bicycle.

Lifting a 110kgs heavy block stone -A sport of Tamilnadu

Srivalliputhur is located in virudhunagar District of Tamilnadu. In this place the pongal was celebrated as remembering or revisiting the century old games of Tamilnadu.

One such game is stone lifting. It was an amusement as the men tried hands at ilavattakal a traditional game in which one should lift the a big block of stone and he should then toss it to ground..


The people from 18-50 age are allowed to participate here. There have to lift five stones in a row it starts from 25, 50,75,100 then 110 kgs.

Many men actively participated in this sport. While their wives cheered them up.

The winner will be getting a bicycle and other gifts