Udaipur, October 20, 2007: A grand spectacle unfolded at the City Palace Complex here today - Ashwa Poojan ‘The Worship of the Horse’ festival was celebrated with solemn dignity at the Manek Chowk. Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar, the 76th custodian of the House of Mewar and Chairman-and-Managing Trustee of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), conducted the traditional rites and rituals of worshipping the horses on the auspicious ninth day of Navratri today.

Guests from overseas and India and Udaipur’s notable citizens were present at the Manek Chowk to witness this regal festival that keeps alive the age-old traditions of Rajasthan. For most guests, it was the first time that they witnessed the ‘living heritage’ of Eternal Mewar. They were enthralled by the regal procession that was the highlight of this year’s Ashwa Poojan, organized by the MMCF in association with the HRH Group of Hotels, Udaipur.

‘Ashwa Poojan’:  ‘The Worship of the Horse’, commemorates the bond between a Rajput and his horse and marks the grand finale to the Navratri festivities at the City Palace in Udaipur,” said Deputy Secretary - MMCF, Thakur Bhupendra Singh Auwa. 

The highlight of this year’s regal festival was the regal procession with Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar, the 76th Custodian of the House of Mewar, arriving in a 1905 vintage ‘English Landau Six-in-Hand’. This royal carriage was purchased during the reign of Maharana Fateh Singhji (1884-1930) from Dykes & Co., Calcutta.

For guests and notable citizens of Udaipur, who had assembled at Manek Chowk, it was a memorable occasion with the unique spectacle of the regal procession and the entire festival being conducted with dignity by Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar, the 76th Custodian of the House of Mewar. The HRH Group of Hotels laid out a festive spread of refreshments at Ganesh Chowk, in the precincts of The City Palace Museum, for the esteemed guests and invitees.

MMCF, upholding the values of the House of Mewar, is instrumental in preserving the intangible cultural heritage of Eternal Mewar. Ashwa Poojan occupies a pride of place in the calendar of regal festivals organized every year by the MMCF. Kartik Poornima and Holi are the other regal festivals celebrated with traditional dignity at the City Palace complex. 

Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), established by His late Highness Maharana Bhagwat Singhji Mewar in 1969, has been facilitating the development of Udaipur as a heritage city. MMCF has launched innumerable developmental activities to enhance the quality of life of the people of this historic city.

Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) completes 38 years in service of humanity as a temple of inspiration. Education and outreach programmes, health care, heritage preservation and conservation, museum management and preservation of places of religious worship are some of the key activities of MMCF. The foundation has instituted annual international and national awards granted for services of a permanent value rendered to society. In addition, MMCF has set up a number of subsidiary trusts for religious and charitable purposes to provide assistance to the underprivileged without the barriers of caste, creed or religion.