People enjoy traditional horse race in Gujarat

Motheda (Gujara), Oct 21 (ANI): People of Motheda village in Gujarat participated in a horse race on Tuesday, keeping alive an 800-years-old tradition.

More than a hundred people participated in the horse race.

"This is an 800-years-old tradition. This tradition still goes on. This reflects our unity," said Sampat Thakur, a resident.

People in large numbers from nearby villages poured in to have a glimpse of the contest.

"It is a historical event and I think in the entire Gujarat, there is no such gathering," said Genaji Thakur, another resident.

Every year a young boy of an erstwhile royal family of Motheda village comes out on the streets wearing heavy armour and he is followed by a horserace.

People then take the horses round the village and offer prayers.

Legend goes that a warrior from the village saved the princess of Bikaner from marauding Muslim rulers and to keep alive the tradition, the event is organised every year in the village. (ANI)