MITHI, May 24 Rana Hamir Singh, the son of Rana Chander Singh, was crowned the 26th Rana of Rajputs/ Thakurs of Tharparkar on Sunday.

Hamir Singh has worked as the deputy Nazim of Umerkot.

The coronation, held at the playground of Govt Boys High School, drew a large number of elders of the community and the local elite.

People belonging to different faiths turned up to watch the event.

The ceremony began with the entry into Mithi of a convoy of hundreds of vehicles from Rana Jagir (Rana's native village near Umerkot).

When the caravan stopped at the old Naka (checkpoint), two girls sang “arti” in praise of a deity during which worshippers hold a platter containing incense.

Rana Hamir Singh sat on a resplendent chariot, which was followed by scores of other vehicles.

A large number of Thakurs attired in traditional Rajputi dress of “pheenta” (a multi-coloured turban) and “traita” (a white sheet), stood on both sides of the road to herald the arrival of the new Rana.

Pir Ladhusingh, the guardian of the Pir Pithoro shrine, put a golden crown on Rana Hamir Singh's head on behalf of the Rajput community.

Addressing the ceremony, Rana Hamir said he would follow in the footsteps of his late father and do his best to improve the lot of the people of Tharparkar. —Prem Shivani