Wadiyar traditions come alive as royal Navaratri ends

The Navaratri celebrations of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family concluded on Wednesday (October 21) with religious rituals and the traditional Vijayadashami procession on the Mysuru palace premises.

Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Mysuru MP and scion of the erstwhile royal family, participated in the rituals, carrying forward a centuries-old tradition of the Wadiyar dynasty.

On the concluding day, Yaduveer performed puja to the royal sword, which was then taken in a ceremonial procession to the Bhuvaneshwari Temple on the palace premises. He later performed puja to the Shami, or Banni, tree before returning to the palace in the procession.

Palace staff, ‘pattada ane’ (royal elephants), ‘pattada kudure’ (royal horses) and ‘pattada hasu’ (royal cows) were part of the procession, marking the culmination of the royal family’s Navaratri festivities.

However, the traditional ‘Vajramushti Kalaga’, a form of wrestling involving jattis and held as part of the palace’s Vijayadashami rituals, could not be conducted this year. Though arrangements had been made in the palace courtyard, the bout did not take place at the scheduled time (before the victory procession by Yaduveer). The reasons for its reported cancellation were not immediately known.

The royal family’s Navaratri celebrations are largely private, with participation restricted to a select audience. A key feature of the festivities is the ‘Khas Durbar’, during which Yaduveer ascends the golden throne and holds a symbolic royal court (durbar). Though ceremonial in nature, the ritual offers a glimpse into a bygone era, keeping alive the traditions and regal splendour.