WATCH: Over 200 Rajput women in Rajkot perform 'Talwar Raas'; Read about this tradition

Rajkot, Oct 20: Displaying one-of-a-kind Raas about the tardition of weapons, over 200 Rajput women decked up in colourful outfits participated in ‘Talwar Raas’ in Rajkot on Tuesday at a five-day festival organized by the Royal family of Rajkot. 

 

The five-day event showcases the bravery and valour of women in the Rajput community. This tradition is quite popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan. History states that Rajput women have been a key part of the battlefield and this event aims to send a message that these women are just as powerful as they were years back and can go to the battlefield for their country.

 

 

Further, speaking of the tradition, the swords are an extremely important part of the Rajput community and that the community's association with the weapon dates back centuries.

 

Kadambari Devi, princess of the Royal Family of Rajkot described the history of Talwar Raas, the tradition of Shastra Puja and the importance of swords in the Rajput community. The Talwar Raas has been held for the last 12 years. Every year there is a new group and women participate with full enthusiasm which they practice for a month. These women also made a Guinness World Record at Devi's husband coronation.

 

"The sword is like a goddess and that is why we do Shastra Puja. Women are today displaying their prowess with the sword but they also performed this puja for the first time. In older times, women used to perform this puja and hand over the weapons to their men who went out to fight wars. This part of a tradition that is being revived yet again," Devi said.