Signalling continuity of a hoary tradition the private Dasara of the Wadiyars steeped in religiosity and institutionalized custom commenced at the Amba Vials Palace on Tuesday complete with all paraphernalia.
The cynosure of all eyes was Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar who was entrusted with carrying forward the cultural legacy whose origins can be traced back to 1610 A.D. For the US educated Economics graduate, it was a first appearance in his new role as the custodian of the customs and the cultural practices of the Wadiyars.
Yaduveer was adopted by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar early this year following the death of her husband Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar in December 2013 who performed the duties diligently for almost 40 years after the passing away of the last maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar in September 1974.
Attired in royal robes, Yaduveer went though a maze of rituals and rites that included Kankanadharana , Navagraha homa etc lasting many hours, supervised by the palace priests led by Janardhan Iyengar. The key event was the khas durbar which was a throwback to a bygone era in which the maharaja of the day would ascend the throne and hold court.
But in the changed times it is a customary observance restricted during Dasara and Yaduveer was ushered into the durbar hall with the attendants proclaiming his arrival after which he offered prayers to the simhasana or the throne before ascending it even as Kayo Shree Gowri which was adopted as the State anthem of the Mysuru Kingdom in its later years, was played by the musicians.
The proceedings of the durbar included offering prasada from 24 temples including those in the palace premises, Nanjangud, Srirangapatana, Melukote, Sringeri etc to Yaduveer who received the blessings and offered a salute. The khas durbar will be held daily in the evening till the conclusion of Dasara.
Though the spectacle that unfolds in the palace is restricted and entry is by invitation, there is always a demand to witness the proceedings due to the mystic and aura surrounding it which has added sheen and a royal touch to the Mysuru Dasara.
