Name Hardinge Circle after Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar: CM

Life-size marble statue of 25th maharaja of Mysore unveiled

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has suggested the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) to rename Hardinge Circle after Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar.

Speaking after unveiling the life-size statue of Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar at Hardinge Circle in the city on Sunday, Siddaramaiah said that the circle was named after a British Viceroy and suggested the civic body to rename it after Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the 25th and last maharaja of the erstwhile Mysore state.

The circle is also popularly known as 'Aar Gate' in local language, as six roads converge there and each road had a gate. 
 
The chief minister pointed out that the KR Circle too got its name after the statue of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar was installed.

The MCC has spent Rs five crore for the nine feet tall statue, which is carved out of a monolithic Australian marble. A garden, an artificial waterfall and ornate lamp posts have given a touch of beauty to the circle.

Siddaramaiah congratulated sculptor Arun Yogiraj, the man behind the statue, saying that the new statue is more attractive than the others installed in the past. He also took the opportunity to recall the Wadiyar’s contributions to the city.

He lauded the civic workers for their efforts in keeping the city clean to retain ‘Clean City’ tag. It is not only the responsibility of the government and civic body to maintain the tag but, citizens too, play a role in maintaining the beauty of the heritage city, he added.

State government has earmarked Rs 350 crore for the development of the city. The chief minister urged MCC authorities to ensure quality works and to complete them on time.

Members of erstwhile Mysore royal family, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, her son Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, his wife Trishika Kumari Singh and family members were present. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar thanked the government and the MCC for installing the statue. Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar felicitated Arun Yogiraj, also a MBA graduate, on the occasion.

Three books, one on Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar written by MCC Commissioner C G Betsurmath, ‘Mysuru Memories’, and a book on special grants by CM to MCC, were released on the occasion.

PWD and District in-charge Minister H C Dr Mahadevappa, Sugar and Cooperation Minister H S Mahadev Prasad, Mayor B L Bhyrappa, deputy mayor Vanitha V Prasanna, MLAs Vasu, M K Somashekar, Deputy Commissioner C Shikha were present.