Yaduveer's debut 'durbar' takes off with pomp and show

Traditional music and chanting of mantras set an upbeat mood at the Amba Vilas Palace, with the scion of the former royal family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar ascending the golden throne, his debut ‘khasagi durbar’ (private audience), in Mysuru on Tuesday.

The private durbar lasted about 40 minutes. Yaduveer, wearing a pink and gold silk attire with pink turban, with precious stone studded jewellery complementing the look, was the cynosure of all eyes. The scion entered the durbar hall at 10.55 am for his first private durbar, that would be held on all the nine days of Navaratri festival starting today, popularly known as the Mysuru Dasara.

The scion performed puja to the golden throne for more than 15 minutes, amid chanting of mantras by priests. The golden throne, weighing 250 kg, glittered with about six chandeliers throwing light on it. The throne was decorated with flowers, mainly hibiscus, jasmine and chrysanthemum. After the puja, Yaduveer circumambulated the throne thrice, climbed seven steps and ascended the throne at 11.26 am.

As he ascended the throne and saluted the crowd, musicians played the nada geethe of  Mysuru, ‘Kayo Srigowri’.

The royal scion was seen enthusiastically performing all pujas in accordance with tradition, guided by the priests, in the presence of the royal family members. Only invited guests of the former royal family witnessed the private durbar.

Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, adopted mother of Yaduveer, his biological mother Tripura Sundari Devi, biological father Swaroop Anand, among others, took part in the rituals. However, Trishika, who is said to be marrying Yaduveer, was not present.

Representatives of several temples and mutts, including Chamundeshwari temple, Srikanteshwara temple in Nanjangud, Uttanahalli, Parakala mutt and others, who attended the ceremony, sprinkled holy water and chanted prayers for the well-being of the royal scion, his family and the people. They were followed by the priests of the temple in the palace premises, who offered him customary ‘tambula,’ which was reciprocated with a gift cover by the scion. A set of royal guards sang paeans of the scion in Persian language. The durbar was over and Yadhuveer descended from the throne at 12.26 pm.

The rituals related to ‘khasagi durbar’ had begun right from dawn in the Palace premises, according to the priests. Yadhuveer was given a special bath and adorned with kankana at the auspicious Tula lagna. The former royal family had also visited the temples on the palace premises before the ceremony. Yadhuveer performed kalasha puja inside the palace before entering the hall. Pujas were also performed to the ‘Pattada Aane’ and ‘Pattada Hasu’. Later, he entered the hall at 10.55 am amidst ‘Bahu Parakh’ and performed Navagraha Puja at Dhanur lagna.

However, the main attraction of the private durbar, the ‘padapuja’ ceremony was missing. It may be mentioned that Pramoda Devi Wadiyar used to perform ‘padapuja’ to husband Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar during private durbar. Last year, due to the demise of Srikantadatta Wadiyar, the royal sword was placed on the throne for the rituals.

Arathi was performed to Yaduveer by Arasu community women, inside the palace. Scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has updated his Facebook status and has revealed that his attire was designed by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar under the ‘Royal House of Mysore’ label.