Pond built by Wadiyars at S'patna stands neglected

Lack of maintenance by authorities concerned flayed

 A granite artificial pond constructed by Wadiyars, the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore at Srirangapatna, their first capital is in a pathetic state. The pond which is five feet height from the ground level can be entered from all the  four directions.

The pond which is about 15 feet circumference has been laid with reddish granite stones which is delicate.

An internal channel was connected to supply water to the pond which has completely closed now. There is a history that the King used to have a holy dip in the pond before ascending the throne during Dasara festival.

Now, the pond has been turned into a local pond by the town municipal council. Some parts of the pond has been removed to lay electric cable making it an eyesore. Moreover, the department of Archaeology and Museums too has not taken any step to explain its importance to the locals and visitors.

The site where once stood ‘Srigandada aramane,’  (Palace built by sandalwood) has turned into a park, thanks to the lack of maintenance of the park it has invited a lot of criticisms. The place is cleansed up and weeded out only during ratha sapthami and dasara festivities. Venugopalaswamy temple situated on the premises, belonging to Vijayanagar period has been neglected and has not seen painting since centuries.

The traditions and rituals observed during dasara at the palace has been referred in the ‘Kanteerava Narasaraja Vijayam’ written by Govinda Vaidya. Throne being assembled on Bhadrapada Krishna Dashami, bringing pattada aane, horse and cattle, holy oil bath on Ashwayaja Shukla Padyami, wearing kankana, navagraha kalasa puja at durbar and ascending throne.

Saraswathi puja on Ashwaja Shukla sapthami and Kalarathri Mahishasura Samhara and other rituals were also performed.