In tradition attire, couples savour heritage tonga ride in Mysuru

Mysuru: Over fifty couples from various districts enthusiastically participated, wearing traditional dresses, in the heritage tonga ride organised by the department of archaeology, museums, and heritage as part of the Dasara celebrations on Saturday. The tonga ride began from Rangacharlu Town Hall in the city.Couples wearing Mysore silk saris, Mysuru peta, North Karnataka, and Kodagu attire were the cynosure of the event. They were taken on a ride in about 25 tongas on the prominent citys roads dotted with heritage structures like the Silver Jubilee Clock Tower, Chamarajendra Wadiyar Circle, KR Circle, Jagmohan Palace, deputy commissioner's office, Field Marshal KM Cariappa Circle, Railway Station Circle, and Ayurveda Hospital Circle on Irwin Road. Before they were taken for a ride, they were gifted with traditional bagina containing Mysuru jasmine flowers, Mysuru pak, Mysuru betel leaf, and other Mysuru brand products. Speaking after flagging off the rally, Kannada film director Prakash Tuminadu, who also participated in the heritage tonga ride along with his wife, hailed the Mysuru Dasara celebration committee for keeping the tradition alive. He praised them for providing wide publicity to the people, for the preservation of heritage and promotion of culture and arts by organising such events. Commissioner of archaeology, museums, and heritage, A Devaraju, said the department has initiated many measures for the protection of heritage monuments and sensitising the public about the conservation of these heritage structures for future generations. He mentioned that the Wadiyars popularised the heritage tonga ride in the city and built palaces that are attracting tourists. Retired professor of ancient history and archaeology NS Rangaraju, and historian LN Swamy explained the importance of heritage structures to the participants during the tonga ride. Historian Dr Selvapillai Iyengar, deputy director of archaeology and museums Dr C N Manjula, and others were present.