Yaduveer new scion of Mysuru royal family

Yaduveer Gopalaraje Urs, the 22-year-old grandson of princess Gayatri Devi, will soon be the new scion of royal Wodeyar dynasty of Mysuru following his legal adoption by Pramoda Devi, widow of Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar here Thursday.

"The entire family is of the unanimous opinion that Yaduveer is best suited to take over the mantle of Srikantadatta," Pramoda Devi told reporters at Amba Vilas Palace in this Karnataka city, about 150 km from Bengaluru.

Yaduveer is currently in the US, studying for graduation in economics and English.

"He (Yaduveer) is returning to India Feb 20 for the grand adoption ceremony Feb 23 in the durbar hall of the royal palace and will be renamed Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodeyar to be identified with the royal lineage," a royal family member told IANS here.

Srikanatadatta died in Bengaluru Dec 10, 2013 at the age of 60.

"As Srikantadatta and Pramoda Devi have no children, they are adopting Yaduveer to be the new scion," the family member noted.

Yaduveer, son of son of Tripurasundari Devi and Swaraup Gopal Raj Urs, belongs to the Bettada Kote family whose association with the Wodeyars dates back to the 18th century.

"I have decided to adopt him (Yaduveer) because of the strong ties between our families. Maharani Lakshmiammani of his family was instrumental in getting the throne back to Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar," Pramoda Devi said.

Gayatri Devi is the eldest sister of Srikanatadatta. Their father Jayachamarajedra Wodeyar was the last maharaja of the Mysuru princely state from 1940 to 1950.

The Wodeyar dynasty ruled Mysuru for over seven centuries from 1399 to 1950.

"We will coronate Yaduveer before October to carry on the Dasara festival tradition of our dynasty," Pramoda Devi said on the occasion.

Though Yaduveer hails from this city of palaces, he did his schooling in Bengaluru and went to the US for higher studies.

Yaduveer's parents thanked Pramoda Devi for choosing their son to succeed Srikantadatta and hoped he would continue the glorious tradition of the Wodeyar dynasty.