Yaduveer ascends golden throne as royal Navaratri begins

The erstwhile Mysuru royal family’s private Navaratri celebrations began on a ceremonial note on Sunday, with the titular head of the royal family, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, ascending the iconic golden throne at the Durbar Hall of Mysuru Palace for the Khas Durbar (private durbar).

The rituals evoked the grandeur of a bygone era as the Wadiyars continued the traditional Navaratri ceremonies that have been observed by the royal family for centuries. The symbolic durbar is now held only during Dasara, with only a select audience permitted to witness the proceedings.

The rituals began in the morning with ‘Kankana Dharana’, the tying of sacred threads around the wrists of Yaduveer and his wife, Trishikha Kumari Wadiyar. Yaduveer later offered prayers as part of the rituals inside the palace.

The Pattada Ane (royal elephant), Pattada Kudure (royal horse) and Pattada Hasu (royal cow) were also part of the rituals, upholding the traditions of the erstwhile Mysuru kingdom.

Following the rituals, Yaduveer, who is also the Mysuru-Kodagu MP, proceeded to the Durbar Hall amid the chanting of ‘Bahu Parak’ by the courtiers. He performed puja to the golden throne before ascending it, formally marking the commencement of the ‘Khas Durbar’.

Priests from various temples offered teertha prasada to Yaduveer, while the Police Band played ‘Kayo Sri Gowri’, the anthem of the erstwhile Mysuru kingdom.

Royal family members, including Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, Trishikha Kumari Wadiyar and their sons, Aadyaveer Wadiyar and Yugadhyaksh Wadiyar, along with a select group of invitees, witnessed the proceedings on the opening day.

The ‘Khas Durbar’ will be held in the evening on the remaining days of the private Dasara celebrations. The Navaratri rituals of the royal family will culminate at the Palace on October 21 (Vijayadashami).