Karnataka - Mysore   

The Wadiyars’ Dasara finale

MYSORE: Continuing the tradition of six centuries on the palace precincts, was the private Dasara of the Wadiyars which culminated after 10 days of religious rites.

A legacy inherited from the Vijayanagar emperors, Dasara was celebrated on a grand scale by Raja Wadiyar who ascended the throne in 1610 A.D. He directed that the tradition of Dasara celebrations be perpetuated in all its glory.

And true to tradition, the royal Dasara unfolded in the splendid settings of the Ambavilas, complete with Khas Durbar and the ascension of the golden throne by the scion of the royal family and former MP, Srikantadutta Narasimharaja Wadiyar.

The origin of the golden throne has been traced to the Vijayanagar Empire, while a few refer to its Mughal origins.

The throne was handed over to Raja Wadiyar in 1609 and has remained with the Mysore royal family since then. The signature tune composed to mark the assumption of power by the Wadiyars, is also played during the Navaratri. The occasion, complete with regal trappings, was a throwback to the past with the caparisoned elephants playing the lead role as also the royal horses (Pattada Kudure) and royal cows (Pattada Hasu). The last day, marking the Dasara festivities, saw a formal enactment of the Vajramushti Kalaga, a dying tradition following which Mr. Wadiyar, travelling on a silver chariot, visited the Bhuvaneshwari temple to offer prayers. He offered special puja to the weapons of war that were transported for the occasion from the royal armoury.

The traditional rites as enunciated in the religious texts are followed in toto to this day and this includes “Shammi puja” at the Bhuvaneshwari temple. In fact, the return procession from the temple is considered to be the “Victory March” as enacted during Dasara celebrations by the Vijayanagar emperors.

But on the return procession Mr. Wadiyar sat in a car as he had hurt himself while stepping out of the chariot.

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