Palanpur: The complete ground at Mudetha village some 22km from Deesa in Banaskantha reverberated with drumbeats because the age-old camel and horse race started on Saturday.
Sounds of drums gripped the bottom as the traditional race, led through amour clad Rajuji Rathod of Mudetha, with sword and shield in his arms started. "As many as 300 horses and 50 camels from Mudetha and nearby villages participated in the race," stated Vajeram Joshi, some of the organizers.
According to Mahant Babupuri of Peplu village in Lakhni taluka the amour used nowadays now weighs 5kg to 7kg as against 20kg to 30kg in the earlier days. "It is believed that since last 755 years the race is being held," he added.
"Our ancestors appear on the day to shower blessing on us," stated Kantiji Rathod village sarpanch and an organizer.
"Each year, one of the Rathod families is selected to lead the race. As a tradition, a day before the race we set out for nearby Peplu village in the evening on New Year's day to offer Chunri to Cauthba who was adopted as a sister by our ancestors," stated Kantiji.
Babbaji Rathod, a member of the district panchayat board, stated, "Some 755 years ago, the then Mahant of Peplu had escaped from Jalore (now in Rajasthan) along with the princess Cauthba Rathod of Jalore. The princess' father Viramsinh had given his daughter to the sage to save her from the clutches of invaders who had captured Jalore's kingdom after a ferocious battle and wanted to catch the princess because of her beauty. The sage then escaped and sought shelter in Peplu village and got the princess married to a local Chauhan youth, and assigned the responsibility of her safety to the Rathods of Mudetha village some 10km away from Peplu who adopted the princess as their sister."
After offering Chunri at the monument of the princess they come again in Mudetha. The subsequent day the race is held as a mark of joy of gratifying the promise made through their ancestors.
Sounds of drums gripped the bottom as the traditional race, led through amour clad Rajuji Rathod of Mudetha, with sword and shield in his arms started. "As many as 300 horses and 50 camels from Mudetha and nearby villages participated in the race," stated Vajeram Joshi, some of the organizers.
According to Mahant Babupuri of Peplu village in Lakhni taluka the amour used nowadays now weighs 5kg to 7kg as against 20kg to 30kg in the earlier days. "It is believed that since last 755 years the race is being held," he added.
"Our ancestors appear on the day to shower blessing on us," stated Kantiji Rathod village sarpanch and an organizer.
"Each year, one of the Rathod families is selected to lead the race. As a tradition, a day before the race we set out for nearby Peplu village in the evening on New Year's day to offer Chunri to Cauthba who was adopted as a sister by our ancestors," stated Kantiji.
Babbaji Rathod, a member of the district panchayat board, stated, "Some 755 years ago, the then Mahant of Peplu had escaped from Jalore (now in Rajasthan) along with the princess Cauthba Rathod of Jalore. The princess' father Viramsinh had given his daughter to the sage to save her from the clutches of invaders who had captured Jalore's kingdom after a ferocious battle and wanted to catch the princess because of her beauty. The sage then escaped and sought shelter in Peplu village and got the princess married to a local Chauhan youth, and assigned the responsibility of her safety to the Rathods of Mudetha village some 10km away from Peplu who adopted the princess as their sister."
After offering Chunri at the monument of the princess they come again in Mudetha. The subsequent day the race is held as a mark of joy of gratifying the promise made through their ancestors.
Traditional horse race held at Mudetha village
![Traditional horse race held at Mudetha village]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
October 23, 2017
Rating:
