MYSORE: The private durbar conducted by the scion of the Mysore Wadiyars, Srikantadatta Narashimaraja Wadiyar, brings to memory a 500-year-old tradition that was practised by the Vijayanagar dynasty.The Mysore Palace was all decked up for the private durbar, a ceremony conducted after the golden throne is fixed at the Amba Vilas for conducting rituals during the nine-day Dasara festivities. The function, however, has been reduced to a family ritual following the abolition of kingship and privy purse to the royal family by the government.The scion, after the ceremonial bath, Mangala Majjana, held after the Kankadharana — when a yellow thread is tied around the wrist — visited the Someshwara Temple inside the Palace. Palace staff took out a procession along with cows, elephants and horse accompanied by men in traditional dress beating drums.Srikantadatta Narashimaraja Wadiyar dressed in royal attire proceeded to the courtyard accompanied with priests wearing the traditional Mysore Peta as they began durbar at Danur Lagna (between 11.30 am to 12.45 pm).Wadiya worshipped the Navagraha and offered prayers to the Kalasas arranged besides the golden throne amid priests chanting the Vedas. He conducted puja with the assistance of priests from more than 28 temples. He then circumambulated the golden throne thrice and offered puja to idol of Gandaberunda, an insignia of the royal family; later, palace priests smeared vermilion and sprinkled holy water on Wadiyar.The king then ascended the golden throne and took salute from the palace staff who were chanting paraks, verses in his praise. He was then offered prasad from Sringeri Temple, Chamundi Temple, Nanjangud Srikanteshwara Temple, Uthanahalli Maramma Temple and the Palace Ganapathi Temple. The priests — 68 in number — will be given a honorarium as a token of respect by the royal family. Headed by chief priest Prof Janardhan, the priests will perform a Veda Parayana during the durbar.
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