The historic Palace of Jaipur witnessed colourful celebrations and traditional rituals after several decades marking the 18th birthday of the Pink city’s titular Maharaja, Padmanabh Singh, in the royal grandeur on Tuesday.
Padmanabh Singh, belonging to the erstwhile royal family, had ascended the titular throne of Jaipur as a teenager in 2011.
The erstwhile Jaipur ruler, the late Brigadier Sawai Bhawani Singh, who died in April 2011, had adopted Padmanabh, son of his daughter Diya Kumari, as the heir to the Kachwaha Rajput dynasty at a grand ceremony here in 2002.
The occasion of the Jaipur Maharaja attaining the age of majority was celebrated throughout the day. The titular king was first accorded a grand welcome at Chandra Mahal, where he was received by his personal staff. He then performed three rituals of giving charity — Prayaschitta Dan, Chhaya Dan and Gau Dan.
Accompanied by his personal staff, Padmanabh Singh then proceeded to Sita Ram Dwara and performed the Hawan followed by ‘Bhet’ (gift) to the Gurus. Later, he visited six temples situated in the Walled City, where he made offerings and accepted ‘dupatta prasad’ from saints. Finally, he performed Varsh Poojan at Madho Niwas.
The young Maharaja attended the main birthday celebrations at Durbar Hall in City Palace, which was filled to capacity with the former Tazimi Sardars, Jagirdars, Thikanedars and Seths (merchants) of Jaipur in their traditional attires. Each of the former nobles presented the traditional form of respect by offering ‘Nazar’ (gifts) to him.
Padmanabh Singh’s younger sister Gauravi Kumari performed ‘aarti’ for him at Riddhi Siddhi Pol, where he was welcomed by Zenana Sardars (female chieftains). He received salute from the Jaigarh Guard and met people from different walks of life.
Family deityLater, the titular Maharaja went to seek blessings of the family deity of Kachwaha Rajputs at Jamwai Mata temple at Ramgarh on the outskirts of Jaipur.
Similar grand celebrations had taken place at City Palace in the decade of 1920s when Sawai Man Singh II, adopted by the then Jaipur ruler Sawai Madho Singh II as his son, attained the age of 18 years and was coronated as the Maharaja.
Fun-loving Padmanabh Singh, popularly known as Pacho among his friends and family members and an upcoming polo player, is also a brand ambassador of a leading promoter of Polo. He is currently pursuing higher studies in England.
