Speculations galore on Wadiyar’s successor

Yaduveer Urs is latest name doing the rounds

There are speculations galore about the successor to Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar who passed away in December 2013, as an official announcement by the Wadiyar family is expected in due course.

The issue of succession is purely an internal affair of the Wadiyars, but public interest in the subject remains high given their association with Mysuru, traditions related to Dasara and court cases pertaining to the palace acquisition.

When contacted by

The Hindu a senior palace official — normally reticent on the subject — said, “very soon there will be an official announcement”. In the run-up to finalising the succession there was an outburst against Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, wife of Srikantadatta Narasimharaja as the latter’s nephew Chaduranga Kantharaj Urs (son of Gayatri Devi — eldest daughter of the last Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar) went public expressing his ire that he has been ignored.

Incidentally, Mr. Kantharaj Urs conducted the last rites of Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar as the latter had no issue. During the 2014 Dasara, he stood in for Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar to complete the traditional rituals followed by the family members since generations which reinforced the belief that Urs would be the successor. However, a senior palace personnel who was close to the late Wadiyar said the two — performing the funeral rites and carrying forward the Dasara traditions — cannot be linked to the issue of succession. Apart from Mr. Chaduranga Kantharaj the other names that did rounds included that of Aditya Gurudev Urs, son of Indirakshi Devi — fourth daughter of Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar. Besides, there were rumours of Varchuswee S.S. Raje Urs — son of Meenakshi Devi — second daughter of Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar — as a possible heir.

But the latest speculation is Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs — who is in his early 20s and the son of Leela Tripurasundari Devi (daughter of Gayatri Devi) — is a strong candidate likely to be appointed the successor. He is pursuing a course in Economics in Boston, U.S..