The City of Udaipur witnessed the 4th World Living Heritage Festival at The City Palace, Udaipur from October 17th to 20th, 2018 which bought together a spectrum of artistes and academicians, activists and student-delegates from India and overseas.

Organised by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) and supported by UNESCO India Office, New Delhi; Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan; DRONAH Foundation, Gurgaon; Centre for Heritage Management, University of Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Crafts & Design, Jaipur, the four-day mega festival witnessed the inaugural of the 4th International Conference on Living Heritage; the art and crafts bazaar for master-craftsmen to showcase their traditional offerings; music and dance performances to enliven the morning and evenings in the city of Udaipur; and heritage walks across interesting trails in The City Palace and the by-lanes of the old city.

Day 1 - Wed 17th Oct 2018

A grand spectacle unfolded at The City Palace when Ashwa Poojan 'The Timeless Gratitude to Equinity' festival was celebrated with solemn dignity at Manek Chowk , marking the inauguration of the 4th World Living Heritage Festival.

Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar, Chairman and Managing Trustee of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), conducted the traditional rites and rituals of worshipping the Marwari breed of horses on the auspicious ninth day of Navratri.

The colourful ceremony, filled with the sounds of shehnai, drum-beats and bagpiper bands, was witnessed by H.E The Ambassador of France to India Mr Alexandre Ziegler, the UNESCO Director Mr. Eric Falt and guests from overseas and India.

Notable citizens of Udaipur were present at the Manek Chowk and witnessed this Eternal Mewar Festival that is keeping alive the age-old traditions of Rajasthan. For most guests, it was the first time that they witnessed the living heritage of Mewar and they were enthralled by the regal procession that was the highlight of this year's Ashwa Poojan.

Ashwa Poojan commemorates the bond between the Rajputs and the horse. It marks the grand finale to the Navratri festivities at the iconic City Palace in Udaipur. The festival began with the Mr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Trustee of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation at the Manek Chowk. While he greeted the assembled guests, the regal procession began from the private residence with Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar In his

ceremonial and traditional attire, with the Insignia of the former State of Mewar held aloft by flag-bearers, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar arrived at the festival-site in the horse-drawn carriage, the 1905 vintage 'Royal Landau Six-in-Hand'.

Musical flourishes of The Palace Band filled the air as the traditional worship of the five horses commenced. Shriji conducted the prayer-ceremony, observing the rites and rituals as guided by the priests of the ancient Shri Eklingji Temple.

Ashwa Poojan occupies a pride of place in calendar of Eternal Mewar festivals organized every year by the MMCF. Kartik Poornima, Holi and Gangaur are the other regal festivals celebrated with traditional dignity at the City Palace.