Originating from the regions of Saraikela and Singhbhum in Jharkhand, pari-khanda is a martial art whose name comes from the weapons — pari (sword) and khanda (shield). It was established as a form of physical training for the soldiers.

Pari-khanda training begins with the practice of chaalis, or steps, which involve the movements of birds and animals such as the haathi chaali (the elephant movement) and baagh chaali (tiger movement). These are followed by upalayas or combined movements inspired by movements occurring in daily life, such as gutti-koora, lifting a pebble with one’s toes; gobar-goola, mixing cow-dung with water; kula-pachra, husking paddy; bota-cheera, splitting a bamboo; and finally the khel, consisting of ten movements. Pari-khanda is generally performed early in the morning and on the banks of the Kharkai river, on a stretch of raised land, known as Bhairavsal, consisting of seven stone lingas (phallic-shaped stones symbolising the deity Shiva) before each of which the pari-khanda performers prostrate themselves. Performers normally perform in a dhoti and a bare torso.