Mallu Mahato – the man who rode a rhino for mere five rupees (five cents)

Mallu Mahato's portrait on the wall of Bulbul Nest Guest House. Photo by Ujjwal Acharya. Used with permission

While the case of a runaway rhinoceros wreaking havoc in Hetauda is going viral in the social media and mainstream media, you will be surprised to know that a man in Sauraha of Chitwan rode a rhino for a mere bet of NRs 5 (5 cents).

Mallu Mahato, 104 years, is alive and kicking. He not only rode a rhino to win a bet, but also has several experiences of trapping a tiger and fighting for life with a bear, reports Keshav Bhattarai in the Chitwan Post.

Mallu Mahato at his home in Sauraha. Photo by Chitwan Post (25 January 2015). Used with permission.

Probably, he is one of the oldest living Tharu legends. He is one of the pioneers contributing to establish Sauraha as a tourist attraction and conserving the Tharu culture in Chitwan and surrounding areas.

Hemanta Mishra, in his acclaimed book The Soul of the Rhino, says Mallu opened the doors for him to have a meaningful dialogue with the community. Mishra considers him as a key partner in conservation and remembers visiting his house frequently.

In his reportage, Mishra further mentions that Mallu was the first to practice what one preaches. He converted his house in Sauraha into an inn for those who travelled with tight budgets. The name of his five-room inn was “Wendy’s Lodge”. Soon a number of lodges named after rhino, tiger, Rapti River, jungle, crocodile and similar words sprouted all over Sauraha, turning it into a bustling tourist centre.

Mishra also talks about helping Mallu revive and market the traditional Tharu “stick dance”. He was one of the leading stick dancers during his heydays. The late kings Tribhuvan, Mahendra and Birendra used to observe his stick dance whenever they visited Sauraha.

His contribution towards establishment of Chitwan National Park is crucial as he was instrumental in moving away the communities from Kutuwa of Padampur, Kachuwani, Bansbari, and Amrite villages, according to Bhattarai.

The one-horned rhinoceros is an icon not only in Chitwan but around the world, and because of it the Chitwan National Park and Sauraha are considered the must-visit tourist attractions. However, neither the state nor the communities remember Mallu who gave his whole life towards developing Sauraha and establishing Chitwan National Park.

My salute to the hero who rode the rhino!