Mysuru: The Mysuru royal family began its private Dasara celebrations at Mysuru Palace on Sunday. The scion of the family, Yaduveer Wadiyar, ascended the royal throne and held the Khas Durbar symbolically.The rituals began at 5.30am with royal priests performing various ceremonies. The lion-face ornaments were fixed to the ‘ratna khachita simhasana’ (bejewelled throne) between 6am and 7.12am.Kankanadharana, a ritual in which a sacred thread is tied to Yaduveer’s wrist, was performed between 8.35am and 9.05am. Teertha brought from 23 temples was also sprinkled on him as part of the rituals.Dasara elephants Srikanta and Ekalavya arrived at the palace after a puja at Someshwara Temple.Yaduveer ascended the throne during the auspicious time between 11.45am and 12.05pm and began the private durbar in traditional royal attire. The durbar concluded at 12.15pm. This was Yaduveer’s 12th private durbar since he first held it in 2015. The royal family continues to follow these traditional rituals as part of its private Dasara celebrations.Royal family matriarch Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, Yaduveer’s wife Trishikha Kumari Wadiyar and other family members were present.Entry to the palace was prohibited for tourists from 10am to 2pm due to private Dasara rituals. There will be no entry to the palace on Oct 20 and 21 due to Mahanavami, Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami celebrations.Meanwhile, the throne dismantling ritual will be held on Nov 19.
