Mumbai, March 5 (IANS): Mumbai witnessed girl power at its brightest and strongest as over 800 ladies turned up to compete in an all-womens car rally here on Sunday.

A picnic-like atmosphere reigned at Hotel Sahara where the flag-off took place at 8 a.m. as one after the other over 260 freshly painted and decorated cars set off on their 150-kilometre quest for glory, according to a release.

In a unique gesture, most of the participants used the occasion to send out their messages to the society, with women's empowerment as the most common theme. 'One girl with courage is a revolution' screamed one message; ‘To hell with sugar n spice' said another, ‘we are all about talent, commitment, guts, toughness' it added.

Interestingly, demonetisation was another popular theme with a number of colours painted in the colours of the new 2000-rupee note. Pink and green were the most common colours while a brave young girl turned her car into a chariot, with five stallions painted on her bonnet.

The rally, organised by Western India Automobile Association (WIAA) for the third year in succession to mark International Women's Day, is primed to create road safety awareness for ladies and is blessed by the FMSCI, the parent body for motor sports in the country.

The winners will be felicitated at a grand awards function on March 8, International Women's Day.