Mysuru, Oct. 22 -- The centuries-old 'Vajramushti Kalaga', a traditional wrestling contest with a specialised knuckle-duster, held at the Mysore Palace on Vijayadashami, was cancelled yesterday following delays in entry arrangements and confusion over Police restrictions within the Palace premises.

The contest was scheduled to begin at 9 am. Wrestlers, or Jattis, had to perform rituals at Shwetha Varahaswamy Temple inside Palace complex, followed by more than one-and-a-half hours of preparatory ceremonies before entering the arena.

However, despite carrying valid entry passes issued by the Mysore royal family, several wrestlers and their associates were stopped by Police personnel, delaying the preparations. The temple was also not open...