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

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

2026-04-18 16:03 Last Updated At：16:20

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.

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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 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)

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 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 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)

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 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 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)

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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 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)

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 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 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)

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 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 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)

The Latest: Trump hints at resuming attacks if ceasefire with Iran expires without a deal

U.S. President Donald Trump said the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will remain and attacks will resume if no agreement is reached with Iran, after Tehran said it had fully reopened the strait to commercial vessels but threatened to close it again over the U.S. blockade.

Asked by a reporter Friday night what he will do if there’s no deal when a ceasefire with Iran expires next week, Trump said, “I don’t know. Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade is going to remain. But maybe I won’t extend it, so you’ll have a blockade and unfortunately we’ll have to start dropping bombs again.”

However, Trump also told reporters accompanying him aboard Air Force One to Washington that, “I think it’s going to happen,” referring to a deal.

Questions lingered Saturday about how much freedom ships actually had to transit the waterway as Tehran maintained its grip on the strait and who got through, and threatened to close it again if the U.S. kept in place its blockade of Iranian ships and ports.

Iran’s Friday announcement about the opening of the crucial body of water, through which 20% of the world’s oil is shipped, came as a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon appeared to hold.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, nearly 2,300 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.

Here is the latest:

Iran’s Defense Ministry spokesperson said the Strait of Hormuz is only open during a ceasefire and conditionally, two Iranian semiofficial news agencies reported.

Brig. Gen. Reza Talaei-Nik said “military vessels and those linked to hostile forces have no right” of transit, according to the ISNA and Mehr news agencies.

Field Marshal Asim Munir has concluded a visit to Tehran, where he met senior Iranian leaders in an effort to ease tensions between Iran and the United States, the Pakistani military said Saturday.

It said the visit reflects Pakistan’s commitment to promoting peace, stability and a negotiated settlement to regional conflicts.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accompanied Munir.

The delegation met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and held talks with Parliament Speaker Bagher Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and senior military officials.

Discussions focused on regional security, ongoing diplomatic efforts and steps to promote lasting peace.

Munir emphasized dialogue, de-escalation and resolving disputes through sustained engagement.

He also conveyed goodwill messages from Pakistan’s leadership and reaffirmed Islamabad’s desire to strengthen longstanding ties with Iran.

President Donald Trump flatly rejected the idea when a reporter asked about the prospect of restrictions or tolls managed by Iran on the Strait of Hormuz.

“Nope. No way. No. Nope,” Trump said. He said there can’t be tolls along with restrictions. “No, they’re not going to be tolls.”

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

News

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

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 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)

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 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 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)

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 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 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 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)

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 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 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)

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 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 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)

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