Villagers compete to erect huge bamboo poles at an Indian folk festival, in photos

Members of the Agri-Koli community compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles called Devkathi in a centuries-old annual tradition honouring a local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village, about 61 kilometers (38 miles) from Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026.(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles called Devkathi in a centuries-old annual tradition honouring a local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village, about 61 kilometers (38 miles) from Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026.(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Volunteers carry an injured participant who was hurt while competing in the erection of ceremonial bamboo poles, during a centuries-old annual tradition honoring goddess Raiba Devi in Rave village, near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Volunteers carry an injured participant who was hurt while competing in the erection of ceremonial bamboo poles, during a centuries-old annual tradition honoring goddess Raiba Devi in Rave village, near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community celebrate as they compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community celebrate as they compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Onlookers step back as a decorated bamboo pole snaps moments after being raised by members of the Agri-Koli community as part of a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Onlookers step back as a decorated bamboo pole snaps moments after being raised by members of the Agri-Koli community as part of a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
A boy poses for a photograph as members of the Agri-Koli community prepare to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026.(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
A boy poses for a photograph as members of the Agri-Koli community prepare to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026.(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community celebrate as they compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village, near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Members of the Agri-Koli community celebrate as they compete to erect ceremonial bamboo poles in a centuries-old annual tradition honoring the local goddess Raiba Devi, in Rave village, near Mumbai, India, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

RAVE, India (AP) — Decorated bamboo poles were raised by members of the Agri-Koli community as part of a centuries-old, annual tradition honoring the goddess Raiba Devi in the village of Rave near Mumbai, India, on Friday.

____

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

 

Salem News Channel Today

Sponsored Links

On Air & Up Next

  • The Kim Komando Show
    2:00AM - 6:00AM
     
    As America’s Digital Goddess®, Kim shares the latest gadgets, breaking tech   >>
     
  • This Morning with Gordon Deal
     
    Go beyond the headlines with the day's first look at news and business news from the U.S. and around the world
     
  • The Chris Stigall Show
    6:00AM - 9:00AM
     
    Chris Stigall has been talking with his morning audience for years. He's   >>
     
  • The Mike Gallagher Show
    9:00AM - 12:00PM
     
    Mike Gallagher is one of the most listened-to radio talk show hosts in America.   >>
     
  • The Alex Marlow Show
    12:00PM - 1:00PM
     
    In a time when political establishments, globalist bureaucracies, and   >>
     

See the Full Program Guide