Dasara Horse fair brings back memories of Mysore tongas

Mysore, Oct 17 (UNI) Mysore Heritage Centre (MHC) an NGO in its bid to revive the famous Mysore Tonga, sarots, horses and ponies of choice has organised Dasara Horse fair at the premises of Kudure Siddappaji Talwar Mutt on the outskirts of the city as part of Dasara festivities.

According to Project Director of MHC Madhukar G Appaji, the Tonga and sarots had been swept away by the wave of modernisation.

The horse or pony drawn carts were the symbols of the bygone era of the Mysore Maharajas and heritage icons of the city but were now literally extinct.

The 'City of Palaces' which once boasted a 1500 strong Mysore Tonga 'fleet' that was the main public transport within the city in the absence of autorickshaws had dwindled to a mere 70 now. The show comes as a ray of hope for the poor tongawallahs who are now unable to compete with the faster mode of public transport.

The fair features an exhibition and sale of various breeds of horses and ponies, different types of Tonga and sarots spiced up with several other programmes like training programme for enthusiasts who still had the will to own a Tonga. The Mutt trains enthusiasts in riding skills, transporting goods in Tonga and maintainance of horses and ponies and stable 'skills'.

UNI