Standing up then doing squats while balancing a giant rock on your shoulder blades was among the unique weight-lifting challenges at a South Indian festival on 18 August.

India has countless traditional festivals, particularly in the south of the country, and the Basava Jatra festival in Basavana Bagewadi village in Vijayapura district of Karnataka state, features fascinating strongman contests.

Among the various physical feats, some competitors put heavy sacks on their backs and did plank pushups.

The video shows one young man lifting a 75kg (165 lbs) sack as he did this. Another man even lifted 285kg this way.

Some competitors even came from neighbouring states like Maharashtra, and districts like Bagalkote and Yadgir, to take part in the event.

The festival celebrates the birthday of Lord Basaveshwara, a 12th century Indian statesman, philosopher, poet and social reformer credited with introducing the world's first religious parliament, called the Anubhava Mantapa.

India is full of Unique festivals and traditions , specially south Indian states celebrates many unique festivals , many traditional things are linked to these festivals which are being organized from ages . In one such unique festival , The Basva Jatra festival is organized at Basavana Bagewadi village in Vijayapura district in Karnataka state .
This festival which was organized on 18th of August saw a unique heavy weight lifting competition organized by festival committee . In this competition youths and men takes part under various categories , competitors had take heavy bags on their backs and do pushups , sit ups . they have to lift it on floor , on narror benches and had to maintain their balance as well as bag balance . Some of the competitors can also be seen holding and balancing heavy stones on their backs . A commentator can be heard counting it .
Many people participates in this unique competition even fro neighbouring states like Maharashtra and district like Bagalkote , Yadgiri . A boy can be lifting 75 kg weighing sand filled bag and doing pushups several times. One person also lifted 285 kg bag on his back . Usman Gani of Talikote lifted 55 KG And .Beerappa Pujari of Nagathan lifted 203 KG bag . Thousands of people gathered to see the competition held for the fair.
Lord Basaveshwar is 12th century social reformer and who started Parliament in 12th century(Anubhava Mantap)