The Well of Death, India


The well of death is a popular event in India often displayed during large festivals throughout the year. Held in a makeshift cylindrical structure, around 30ft in diameter, cars and motorcycles are driven around the walls at great speed. The drivers perform stunts whilst driving along the vertical walls and collect money from the audience as they go past. The audience are positioned along the top of the walls of the structure. From there they can gaze down at the riders.

The ticket seller handing over a ticket.

The ticket vendor


A person stands at the entrance gate

Worker at the gate


Crowd of people above the arena

The crowd awaits the start of the performance


A motorcycle being push started

The motorcycle is push started


Motorcyclist in the arena

Motorcyclist


A motorcyclist starts going around the wall

A motorcyclist starts going around the wall


A motorcyclist goes round the well of death

A motorcyclist goes round the well of death


A motorcyclist performs


A spectator passes money to a passing driver

Receiving money from the spectators


A spectator holds out money for the driver


Cars performing in the well of death


Gesturing to the spectators after a performance


Driver portrait


The car after the show