Forget F1, here camel-horse race gives an adrenaline rush

RAJKOT, Date :- 31/10/2011 :

Passion for speed always existed in this part of the country. It is not a recent trend set off by the advent of speed demons of Formula One at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. Mudehta, a village some 22 km from Deesa in Banaskatha, witnesses a race between horses and camels on the occasion of Bhai-Duj. A 750-year-old tradition, this race is held every year during the festive season which leads to an adrenaline rush through the veins of the people.

The participants dress up like warriors of the past. They wear armors and hold swords, and race on their camels and horses.

"The legend has it that the king of Jalore Viram Singh Rathore was under attack. The enemy captured Jalore (in Rajasthan) and had cast an evil eye on his beautiful daughter Cauthba Rathore. The king gave his daughter's custody to a mahant, who hailed from Piplu village. The mahant brought her to the village dominated by Rathores and handed over the princess to them. They adopted her as their sister and vouched to protect her. And since then the village celebrates Bhai-Duj by organizing a horse and camel race," said Babbaji Rathore, a jilla panchayat member. "This year the race was led by Bhawansinh. As many as 150 horses and 50 camels from Mudehta and nearby places participated," said Babbaji Rathore. Mahant Babupuri of Piplu village said the armor used nowadays weighs 7 kg against 20 to 30 kg used earlier.

Courtesy by: TOI