Two Mysuru royal family members die during Dasara

The Mysuru royal family suffered a double blow on Friday marring Dasara festivities when Putta Chikkammani (98), mother of Rajamata Pramoda Devi, and Vishalakshi Devi, sister of late Maharaja Srikantadatta Wadiyar, died in hospital.

The royal family has announced postponing rituals associated with the Dasara festival to October 22, Raja Chandra, brother-in-law of the late Maharaja, said.

He said Pramoda Devi's mother died in the morning while sister-in-law Princess Vishalakshi Devi, youngest daughter of late Maharaja of Mysuru Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, died in the evening.

He said Chikkammani died in a private hospital here due to age-related complications.

Raja Chandra said being in a state of impurity following the death, the royal family, including the titular Maharaja Yaduveer Krishnadatta Wadiyar, could not take part in rituals like special prayers to weapons, welcoming the entry of elephant carrying howdah and Uttara Pooja.

By evening, Vishalakshi Devi died in a private hospital in Bengaluru, he said, adding, she was 55. The 10-day long Mysuru Dasara festivities came to an end Friday with a colourful procession here.