Centuries-old ‘Horse Mela’ at Wallah losing charm with time

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 21

Centuries old annual Horse Mela, which is taking place since Sikh Misl era, is being held at village Wallah on outskirts of the city.

The mela had started a day before Diwali and it would be concluded tomorrow. The horse traders from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana are showcasing the animal in this mela.

A large number of stud farm and breeders from Malawa region exhibited horses of various breeds including Marwarhi, Nukra and Kathiawari.

However, the most of the customers visit Mela to get low -price horse to pull a cart. The elderly traders still remember the glory of the Mela.

Baba Gurmukh Singh, a routine visitor said, “I was a boy, when first visited the Horse Mela on Diwali with my father during early ’60s. People used to be crazy for mares and horses. Earlier, it was matter of pride to have a good horse. The horse of Irani, Sindi and Marwari breeds used to the centre of attraction. Sometime buyers fought while making a deal in Mela”.

The aged admirers of horses feel that the love for horses had decreased after the emergence of means of transportation in society.

“The admirers of good breed horses are still present but as compare to past the number of such visitors has decreased. The mela on Diwali is also losing its glory”, said Makhan Singh from village Mehta.

Darshan Singh, a Nihang (member of armed Sikh order) said: “Sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib had called the Sikhs to donate horses and arms instead of other valuables for the expected armed struggle. There is a tradition among Sikhs “Daal Roti Ghar Di, Diwali Amritsar di”. All Sikhs used to gather at Amritsar on Diwali festival. Observing the mass gathering of warrior community, horse traders from Iran, Sindh, Marwarh and Gujarat started joining the mela. Historical references revealed that the horse mela of Amritsar was popular among people during Misl era”.