Yaduveer to succeed Srikanta Datta Wadiyar

After over a year-long hiatus, the Mysuru royal family has finally decided on the successor for the Wadiyar’s dynasty in Mysuru, putting an end to the curiosity that followed the demise of last scion of the Mysore royal family, Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar.

It is reliably learnt that Yaduveer, the grandson of late Princess Gayathri Devi, the eldest daughter of last Maharaja of Mysore Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar, will be the successor, ending the year-long search to continue with the traditions of the royal family.

Yaduveer, who in his 20s, is the son of Gayathri Devi’s eldest daughter Leela Tripurasundari Devi and her husband Swarup Anand Gopalaraj Urs. He is currently away in Boston, US, for pursuing his graduation. He will be back in India next weekend after which ceremonies for his installation, Pattabhisheka, will be conducted. He was born in 1992.

According to reports, Yaduveer’s ascension to the throne is scheduled for February 23. Preparations have begun for the royal ceremony to be conducted in the presence of invited audience, which will chiefly include the royal family members. The Kalyan Mantap in the Palace, where royal family functions are held, is being spruced up for the formal ceremonies of installation. An announcement is expected very soon.

According to a source from the royal family: “Yaduveer’s selection is an open secret for quite some time. It will be formally announced next week.” This brings an end to an year-long interruption in a successor to late Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, when his nephew Chaduranga Kantaraja Urs, son of Gayathri Devi, held fort and performed the last rites of the 60-year-old Wadiyar, who died heirless on December 10, 2013, and also had conducted the Dasara ceremonies by placing the sacred sword on the throne, in accordance with the traditions of the royal family.

Besides Gayathri Devi, Meenkashi Devi, Kamakshi Devi, Indrakshi Devi and Vishalakshi Devi are the three other daughters of Jaya Chamaraj Wadiyar, the last and 25rd ruler of Mysore. Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar was his only son.

There were speculations that Chaduranga Kantaraja Urs, the younger brother of Leela Tripurasundari Devi, would be the successor as he had stepped in during the year-long intermission to carry on the responsibilities of the royal family. However, a royal family member who is not married was preferred as per royal traditions, it is understood.

Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar’s wife Pramoda Devi had appealed against a debate on the issue in public as the choice of a naming a successor was an internal affair of the royal family. She has finally made her choice now, it is said.