Bullock Races organized as part of Pune Festival 2004 are very important for rural Maharashtrians as it is a very long standing tradition.

Ganesh Chaturthi may be the all important festival of Maharashtrians, but the bullock is not too far behind. It's a prestigious tournament for the villagers of Bhosari. Generation after generation follows this sport. "This is a traditional game followed diligently by the villagers. It is a very popular sport in our Pune festival agenda. It is after all villagers entertainment and enjoyment," said Suresh Kalmadi, the MP representing Pune and chief of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

In the village of Bhosari for example, a place that refuses to march with time, adamantly hangs onto tradition and a way of life that was and continues to be simple and uncomplicated. Here, the bullock is the cynosure of all eyes come Ganesh Chaturthi. In anticipation of "the event of the year" -- the bullock cart race-Bhosari's villagers gather in the mornings for 10 continuous days, bringing their bullocks in style, complete with musicians and turmeric thrown in the air to bless the animal for the engrossing competition ahead.

The race is to be completed in 14 seconds. Four bullocks are allowed to run at a time. A horse runs in the front to get the bullocks to adjust to the horse's running time.

For Dnyanoba Landge, it is a cause for celebration. For his is the fifth generation tasked with the responsibility of supervising these special races in which about 500 contestants take part. This traditional rural sport has a history of 100 years. Villagers take special care of these animals, feeding them a special diet before the event. "We are simply following a 100-year-old tradition which was begun by my great grandfather. It is a very old Maharashtrian traditional sport where we glorify our bullocks who toil and work hard in our fields and help us make a living," claimed Landge. "A farmer should atleast own a pair of bullocks or he is disabled without them. This kind of race brings out the sheer magnitude of the animal. We take special care of these animals and feed them a specific diet so as to run in the sport," he adds.