Mysuru's wait for its maharaja ends

MYSURU: In 2014, when the city was getting ready to celebrate Dasara festival, there was uncertainty about its celebration by the Mysuru royal family, which had brought it to the city four centuries back.
In the absence of a successor to the Wadiyar dynasty to carry on the family customs and traditions following the death of maharaja Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar in December 2013, maharani Pramoda Devi Wadiyar was under pressure to explain.The sexagenarian stepped in and made it clear that the family will not miss its date with the Dasara festival. Amid mourning, she continued the rituals pointing out that it is a legacy that the family cannot miss. In the absence of a successor, the royal sword was placed on the throne and worshipped during Khas Durbar (private durbar).
The royal family is turning another chapter in its annals with the coronation of Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar starting Wednesday. After the Dasara festivities, the family had picked Yaduveer and appointed him crown prince in mid-February.
He was adopted by Pramoda at a gala event on February 23.
With his coronation performed within three months of his adoption, the family will have the heir to the Wadiyar dynasty that has ruled the state since 1399 till Independence in 1947. It will also facilitate it to carry on the traditions associated with Dasara.
Pramoda, who is proud of her legacy- she opted to design the logo for centenary celebrations of the University of Mysore- had indicated that she will go ahead with the coronation despite the paucity of time on her hands. After Yaduveer got back to the city on May 15 after graduation in US, the family on May 20 decided to coronate him on completion of the rituals associated with the final rites of Meenakshi Devi, the elder sister of her late husband.
The maharani, who is fighting a legal battle with the state government over acquisition of the Mysuru Palace, opted for Yaduveer, who is from Bettada Kote family. Pramoda is also from the same family.