Mysuru: Mysore MP Yaduveer KC Wadiyar said the number of people on the podium to offer floral tributes to Goddess Chamundeshwari in the golden howdah during the inauguration of Dasara procession should be kept to a minimum to ensure that the ritual is conducted with due respect and in accordance with established traditions.“The chief minister represents the state, and his presence is enough. Everyone need not be on the podium. In fact, even my presence is not necessary. In a govt programme, the CM represents everyone,” he said.Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Yaduveer said there is a need to clearly define the protocol for the ritual. “Nobody seems to know what the correct protocol is. Let the authorities first finalise it and then follow it,” he said. “I have been attending the floral tribute ceremony for the past 12 years as the representative of the erstwhile royal family. I know only what I have seen. Generally, the CM, deputy CM and two officials used to offer floral tributes to the Goddess. I am not aware of any official protocol or whether one exists,” he said.On the police stopping ministers for Nandi Dhwaja puja, Yaduveer said govt should decide the protocol for its programmes and ensure that it is followed.Justifying the invitation extended to the CMs of Keralam and Telangana to offer floral tributes, Yaduveer said inviting them would enhance the reach of Dasara celebrations. “When they are invited as chief guests, it would not look appropriate to deny them the opportunity to offer floral tributes. Therefore, a clear protocol is necessary,” he said.“No programme anywhere in the world can be perfect. This year’s Dasara celebrations were satisfactory for me,” he added.Meanwhile, royal family matriarch Pramoda Devi Wadiyar said she had been apprehensive about how elephant Prashantha would perform the task of carrying the golden howdah. “I was concerned about how Prashantha would perform, but he did a good job. The ambari was tied properly. I have never been apprehensive about the tying of the ambari, but this year I was,” she said.She declined to comment on the confusion surrounding the cancellation of the Vajramushti Kalaga. “I do not believe in astrology. I believe in God. I will clarify the entire episode within a day,” she added.
