SHANTHA/PHAGU/SHIMLA, NOVEMBER 2: Shantha village is in celebration mode. The famed Badhan clan — known for their ancient "Thotha game tradition of Panshi and Shathi Khoond fame" in the Shimla and Sirmaur region— has kept their flag of Thotha flying high.
Their young champion, Yoginder Banchaik, urf Ricky Badhan, swept away every rival at the Phagu Thotha competition yesterday and returned home as the new Thotha champ.
Ricky’s homecoming turned into a festival. Badhan inclduing women gathered at the sacred Thaur premises and gave him a rousing reception with cheers, natis, and devotion .
The Badhans offered a feast in his honour in the Patangan of Thaur, the divine source of strength for their clan.
Elders said the victory came with Devi’s blessings.
Today the Thorha has been turned into a sporting tournament under political patronage. Thotha Association has come up.
This year Ricky carried that legacy of Badhans with grit and kept the flag of Thaur flying high in a sporting event at Phagu organised in the memory of a village elder there.
The district-level Thotha event drew over 347 ‘Thothauris’ from across the region. Ricky, competing in his age group, outplayed every opponent.
One by one, he struck decisive blows from his Dhanu, bow, to the dozing forelegs of rivals protected by Suthan, a thick stuffed pyjama and marched to the top.
The ancient game of Thotha is rooted in the Panshi–Shathi lore linked to Pandav–Kaurav traditions and old rivalries of Khoond in the hill.
It has grown from divine rituals of Bishu Jubbad to a rural sport drawing Thathauris from the various clans of Khoond.
This year, Phagu’s Banga Pani arena saw its legacy shine again through the young champion from Shantha.
Villagers said Ricky has “raised the name of entire Chopal ” by winning the single-category competition at Phagu.
Locals shared his win with warmth pouring messages on social media.
Heartiest congratulations to Yoginder Bhai (Ricky) for winning the Bangapani Phagu Thoda competition.
You made the whole Chopal proud. Wishing you all the best for the future.”
Shantha is still in celebration mode — drums beating, elders blessing, and the Badhan clan walking tall with their new Thotha hero.
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