Coronation of the 21st century: It’s Prince Yaduveer’s day today
Mysuru: The Mysuru Palace is all set to come alive with celebrations on Thursday when the 27th Maharaja of the 600 year old Wadiyar dynasty. Maharajakumara Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar ascends the Bhadraasana, a silver throne in the auspicious Karkataka lagna between 9.30am and 10.35 am at the Kalyana mantapa of Mysuru Palace.
Watching him will be over 1000 royal family members and guests. The last coronation of Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar happened on October 16, 1974, which was purely a private affair. This time the royal family has invited the Governor, Chief Minister, Ministers, local MP and royal families from across the Ccuntry. The fiancee of Mr Yaduveer Ms Trishika Kumari from a Rajasthan Royal family is also expected to participate in the event on Thursday.
As part of the Anointment Ceremony (as the royal family has decided to call it as many as 30 rituals were performed at Mysuru Palace on Wednesday. Royal family members including sisters of Mr Srikantadatta Wadiyar, Ms Kamakshi Devi, Indrakshi Devi and Vishalakshi Devi Ms late Meenakshi Devi’s son, Mr Varchus Varchas Siddalingaraje Urs and other members of the royal family participated. However But Mr Kanthraj Urs was not part of the occasion on Wednesday. The visit to the temples which is usually done by the Prince in a silver chariot, was performed in a car this time.
The rituals began as early as 4.30am with Yenne Shaasthra (Oil ceremony) of Maharajakumara Sri Yaduveer which went on for eight hours. After the oil bath, attired in a long brocade coat and adorned with a antique Ganduberunda jewel, the Maharajakumara invoked Sri Chamundeswari, the family diety of the Royal family of Mysuru.
He later entered the Kalyana Mantapa of Mysuru Palace and began the rituals by offering Poojas to Lord Ganapathi and Sri Chamundeswari. He also performed Maathru paada pooja to his mother, Ms Promodadevi Wadiyar during which the Maharani became inconsolable remembering her husband late scion Mr Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar. She later hugged Mr Yaduveer’s biological mother, Ms Leela Tripurasundaradevi and cried.
Prince designate Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and Maharani Pramoda Devi during the rituals before his coronation at Mysuru Palace
The Prince performed rituals including Pavamaana (chanting of 700 manthras and offered pooja before departing from the Mantapa after performing a Homa. The Maharajakumar also performed paada pooja of the Raja Guru, Parakal Mutt Seer, Sri Abhinava Vaageesha Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Swami. The swamiji blessed the Maharajakumara to carry on the tradition and wished him the best with Prasadam and Phalamanthrakshathe which ended around 12.30 pm.
Worship of cow, horse instead of male jumbo
With the forest department refusing to spare a male elephant, the royal family members have decided to perform the prokshana-Sprinkling of holy water on the elephant during Dasara itself. And the same elephant will be used as Pattada aane later.
With no male elephant present, the family managed things with the worship of Cow (Pattada Hasu) and horse (Pattada Kudure), Royal family sources told Deccan Chronicle. A big pendal is being erected nearthe residential portion with arrangements for lunch for 1500 people. Seating arrangements are being made for 1200 people.
Security has been beefed up at the Palace but the exact number of men deployed for security cannot be revealed for security reasons, Police Commissioner Mr B. Dayanand said. The Police are keeping a vigil on the entry of people into the Palace premises. Entry of visitors to the Palace was banned on Wednesday and will banned on Thursday too.