Mysuru: Scion of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family Sri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and his wife Ms Trishika Kumari Wadiyar visited the historic Devaraja market on Sunday morning.
They shopped vegetables and greens and inspected the market structure besides interacting with merchants to understand their problems.
Later speaking to media persons Sri Yaduveer said, “There is a court order related to the PIL filed by a few shopkeepers of the market. It says any decision on the market should be taken up after a discussion with the heritage experts committee. Infact one heritage architect who is in the committee felt that the building can be restored and will serve another 100 years. Activities in the market are part of our intangible heritage and the identity of Mysuru. I appeal to the government to conserve it.”
Recently Mysuru city corporation had passed a resolution to demolish and reconstruct Devaraja market and has sent the recommendation to the state government.
The 122-year-old Devaraja market with 650 stalls is a one stop shop for vegetables, besides Mysuru specialties, including Mysuru jasmine, betel leaves and all rituals. It was said to be named after Chamaraja Wadiyar the 10th's son Devaraja who just lived for a year.
The state government had earmarked Rs 2.75 crore for the restoration of Lansdowne building and Rs 8.8 crores for restoration of Devraja market. Mysuru city corporation had taken up restoration work of both the buildings on 28 March 2016. But it stopped the work in September 2016 after a portion of Devaraja market collapsed during the restoration.
