Mysore royals adopt new crown prince

The new crown prince, who is studying in the US, will be coronated as king right after his graduation

Mysore royals have adopted a 22-year-old prince, Yaduveer Gopalraj Urs, as the next in line for the throne in a lavish ceremony.

Celebrations were on in the Mysore Palace as few guests, mostly royal patrons, dignitaries and family members were invited to witness the traditional adoption ceremony.

Urs, who is studying in the US, will be coronated as king right after his graduation.

His family was elated and hoped he would be a successful king.

"We are very happy and it's an honour and a privilege and it has come by divine grace," said Urs' father, Swaroopa Nand Urs.

As per reports, a procession for Urs was out on the streets for the public to witness right after the religious ceremony. The palace built during the British Raj was also illuminated for the special occasion.

The adoption ceremony is unique as it comes after 75 years when the last maharaja, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, had been adopted into the family.

Urs will be the 27th custodian of the Royal House of Mysore after King Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, last of the Wadiyar dynasty, died in December 2013, leaving no heir.

The crown prince is not directly related to the Wadiyars, though his grandmother, Princess Gayatri Devi belonged to the dynasty.

Though Mysore is no longer ruled by its monarchy, the structure remains symbolic.