Golden throne kept off public view this Dasara

Prized antique was covered by cloth all through Navaratri

While the 750-kg golden howdah is an attraction during Jamboo Savari, the last leg of ‘Nada Habba’ Dasara, it is the fabled golden throne inside Amba Vilas Palace.

However, unlike previous years, visitors to the Palace during the festival, had to return disappointed, as the antique was kept out of public gaze.

Ever since the throne was removed from the strong room inside the Palace and assembled on October 7, it was covered by a white cloth and would remain so with two more days left to dismantle it, Palace Board Director Indiramma told Deccan Herald.

Barring ‘Khasagi Durbar’ (private durbar) of the 27th custodian of the erstwhile royal family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar that began on October 13 and culminated on October 22 (as the erstwhile royal family celebrated Vijayadashami on Ayudha Puja day, one day before the government-sponsored Vijayadashami procession was taken out on October 23), when the cloth was removed to enable the scion to conduct the durbar for a few minutes, keeping the tradition, there was never an occasion when the throne could be viewed by visitors.

When the matter came to the notice of the Palace Board, the director wrote a letter on October 13 itself to Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, wife of the late scion Srikantadatta Nar asimharaja Wadiyar, requesting the latter to keep the throne open for public viewing. Another letter was forwarded on November 2, but in vain.

With the throne expected to be dismantled in two days on November 6 and moved inside the safe room, nothing fruitful may emerge in a short span of time, Indiramma said.

The throne, believed to be made of fig tree wood and covered by gold plated embossed designs, is believed to have originated from the period of the Pandavas.

It is believed that is was with the Vijayanagar rulers before it came into the hands of Wadiyars, the erstwhile rulers of Mysuru (earlier Mysore) in the early 17th century. Compared to the 500-odd princely states that cease to exist, only in Mysuru, even after the abolition of princely rule, the scions have been ascending the throne during Dasara, making for a never to be missed opportunity for locals as well as tourists.

The majestic throne with flower petals adorning the cushioned seat, with stairs on its right side to climb it and covered by canopy, in the durbar hall, is a visual treat for visitors during Dasara.

The armed guards, standing on either side, explained its significance further to tourists. It was usually kept for public viewing even after Dasara. Indiramma said, an estimated 3.07 lakh footfall was recorded to the Palace in October, with 10,000 visitors on an average per day.

Interestingly, she said, though the complaint box at her office did not have any complaints related to the ‘covered throne’ from visitors, ostensibly due to the lack of knowledge about its significance, it was indeed a loss to the State not able to display its prized antique.