Mysore: Despite not having a legal heir to the Mysore throne, Maharani Pramoda Devi on Thursday kept the over four centuries-old tradition of holding Khas (private) Durbar alive. Pattada Kathi (royal sword) was placed on the historic chinnada simhasana (golden throne) and all the rituals were conducted as per tradition.
Ms. Pramoda Devi has created history as this was the first time a private durbar was held without the Maharaja.
However, this was the fourth time a private durbar was conducted keeping a royal sword on the golden throne. From 1971-73, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar decided not to ascend the throne and kept his sword on the throne as then PM Indira Gandhi made amendment to the Indian Constitution and abolished the Privy Purse. After his demise, his son Srikantadatta has been following the tradition without a break.
Until the last minute this Dasara, there was uncertainty whether the Maharani would follow the tradition of Khas Durbar because of shadow-boxing between the state and the royal family over Mysore Palace Land Acquisition and Transfer Act. But, Ms. Pramoda Devi decided to keep the tradition alive after eliciting the advice of pontiffs of Sringeri and Parakala Maths, who said the tradition has to be followed for the survival of Yadu dynasty and welfare of the people of Karnataka.
Palace Dharmadhikari Janardhan Iyengar, who supervised the event, told Deccan Chronicle: “In Ramayana when King Rama left for vanavasa, Bharata brought his sandals and kept them on the throne. Similarly, in the absence of Maharaja his sword is on the throne.”
Siddaramaiah, Gundu Rao launch food fest
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao inaugurated Dasara Aaharmela by serving food to atleat 15 children from the government home for girls, 25 destitute women from Shakthidama, 10 beneficiaries each of Manaswini, Mythri, Annabhagya and Ksheerabhagya schemes. They were served a spread of 17 varieties of traditional food on a plantain leaf, including Kajjaya, Voth shaavige, yellu pudi, Gasgase paayasa, Ragi balls, Sprouted green gram curry, Vada and other items. Aharmela features more than 20 styles of food.
