New era dawns in Mysuru royalty family

US-educated Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar became the 27th king of the Mysore royal family of Yadu dynasty last week.

Amidst royal grandeur in the grand 'Kalyana Mantapa' of the Mysore Palace, Yaduveer was installed as successor to the late Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, who was installed 41 years ago succeeding his father, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar.

The coronation ceremony, conducted by a battery of priests led by Janardhana Iyengar, began at the auspicious hour of 9.30 am on May 28 and lasted about an hour.

Yaduveer ascended the silver throne, 'Bhadrasana', marking his coronation amidst religious rites.

The ceremony was witnessed by around 1,000 special invitees who comprised of the royal family members, including Yaduveer's fiancee Trishika Kumari Singh, his foster mother Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, his mother and other members of the royal family and dignitaries.

Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda was among the politicians present on the occasion.

The two-day rituals began on May 27 with the bringing of holy water in a procession from the Kodi Someswara Temple close to the palace within its fort walls. A pair of caparisoned elephants, belonging to the palace, a pair of camels, sacred cow and sacred horse formed part of the procession.

After worshipping Goddess Chamundeswari at the Chamundi Thotti, the presiding deity of the royal family, the heir-apparent went in a car along with royal guards to the near-by Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple and offered prayers.

He performed the 'pada puja' of his foster mother, Pramoda Devi, wife of late Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, followed by the Rajaguru, Abhinava Vagheesha Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Swamiji of Parakala Mutt. Various homas and other rituals were conducted.

In the evening on May 28, he wore the 'Kankana' a sacred band around his wrist to officiate the rituals. The precious stone-studded necklace of 'Gandabherunda' or the double-headed eagle adorned Yaduveer.

The ceremonies conclude with Yaduveer's reception 'durbar' at the palace in the evening for general public and well-wishers of the Wadiyars' family, special illumination on both the days adding to the grandeur. Tourists were barred from the palace during the two-day rituals.