The tongawallah returns to Mysore for Dasara

Some decades ago, the mode of transport in the Mysore and Bangalore was horse carriages. This was not only for the royalty, but was also for the common man. The common man's carriages, though not as big and luxurious as those of the royalty, they were no less colourful.

While Bangalore boasted 'tongas', Mysore was famous for 'jatakas', which is broader than the 'tongas'. But with the advent of buses and cars, these faced extinction, more so in Mysore. Those who earned a livelihood from these began to disappear from the streets. It was an easy and cheap mode of transport available to the common man.

But, last Dasara, an effort was made to restore horse power to these jatakas and its owners, the 'tongawalas' who were just a few left. About a dozen were given some money to renovate and operate them as 'tourist tongas'. With a fixed fare, they were put into operation to take visitors coming to Mysore during the festivities to select tourist spots.

Thanks to the rehabilitation, the innovative tourist-attraction programme is being continued this Dasara too.

This year's 'tonga rides' were inaugurated by deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah in front of the the palace. Seated in the driver's place and playing the tonga driver, he pulled the reins and launched the tonga tour, as the colourfully painted shapasand "" another name for tonga or jataka "" was set in motion.

With this another heritage of Mysore has come to stay.