Private durbar sets royal Dasara in motion

The royal Dasara of the Wadiyars unfolded on the Palace premises on Saturday, with Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, member of erstwhile royal family, ascending the golden throne amid the chanting of hymns at 11.46 am, during the auspicious Dhanur lagna, marking the beginning of the ‘Khasagi durbar’ (private audience).

As per the traditions of the royal family observed during the Dasara celebrations, Yaduveer conducted the private durbar, which will be held for the next 10 days for the select gathering.

It may be mentioned that it is the second private durbar of Yaduveer after his coronation, and first after his wedding to Trishika Kumari, daughter of Harshvardhan Singh of erstwhile princely state of Dungarpur, Rajasthan.

Clad in royal robes in orange and gold, pink turban and precious stone-studded jewellery, Yaduveer, sporting a french beard, entered the durbar hall, amid the chants of ‘Bahu Parak’ by the royal guards at around 11.15 am. He invoked the gods by performing navagraha and Ganapathi puja. Later, he performed puja to the golden throne, offered flowers, as per the custom. He circumambulated the throne thrice before ascending it as the police band played the signature tune of the nada geethe ‘kayo sri gowri’.

He stood and saluted for a few minutes on the throne as a mark of respect. The private durbar was held for around 45 minutes.

The gold replica of lion (simha) was fixed to the gem-studded golden throne (simhasana), during the auspicous hour between 5.50 am and 6.10 am on the day. It was decorated with jasmine, chrysanthemum and hibiscus flowers.

The throne sparkled due to special lighting from all the four sides and chandeliers.
As soon as Yaduveer ascended the throne, the priests of the temples on the Palace premises, and from Chamundeshwari temple atop Chamundi Hill, Srikanteshwara temple in Nanjangud, Sri Ranganatha Swami temple of Srirangapatna, Shankarmutt, attired in dhothi, colourful Mysuru petas and shawls offered tambula, thirtha and prasad. The durbar was held till 12.30 pm. Later, the royal guards sang paens of the scion, in Persian language, ending the durbar for the day.

Yaduveer and family members participated in various religious rituals as part of dasara activities and private durbar from the dawn. While ‘kankana dharane’ (tying sacred cloth) for Yaduveer was held at Chamundi Thotti between 7 am and 7.20 am; the ritual was performed at Vani Vilas Devara Mane for his wife Trishika Kumari.

Special pujas were performed to the ‘Pattada Aane, Pattada Kudure’ and ‘Pattada Hasu’ at 11 am. The pujas were performed by the palace priests Janardhan Iyengar, Shyama Jois, S Narasimha- murthy and others.

Yaduveer’s adopted mother Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, wife of late Srikantadatta Narasimha- raja Wadiyar, mother Tripura Sundari Devi and relatives were witness to the event.

Special arathi
Women belonging to Arasu clan performed special arathi to Yaduveer. Trishika Kumari, wife of Yaduveer also performed pada puja, for the wellbeing of the royal scion.
DH News Service