MYSORE: Yestu janmada punnevo (I don’t know this is how many births blessings come here to witness you) …. Raja bhupathiyagiru (be the king of this earth forever).
In the morning as two farmers from neighbouring Marse village shower their praises on the scion of Mysore royal family Srikanta Datta Narasimharaj Wadiyar he walks down the steps of the golden throne after the rituals carried out by his family members including his wife Promoda devi Wadiyar. At this moment, the whole community of people serving the Mysore royal family turn their heads in respect towards these two farmers and join them in praising Wadiyar.
Reciprocating their praises Wadiyar smilingly walks inside into the palace virtually declaring the completion of the first day’s rituals and royal procedures connected to private darbar which has remained restricted a family affair for the Maharajas after the government took over dasara celebrations declaring it as a Nadahabba (state festival).
As Wadiyar enters the precincts of the palace, the people connected with palace in their traditional attires such as priests, sardars (commanders), soldiers, religious heads and musicians and team of music band follow him in formation bringing alive the royal regalia, grandeur and the splendour associated with the rulers of Mysore.
Saturday’s event of the Mysore royal family sets in motion the nine-day private darbar and other rituals performed by royal family since 1610 AD when dasara celebrations begun. It was Raja Wadiyar who launched the celebrations then as a maharaja of Mysore at Srirangapattana, the then capital city of the Mysore dynasty. Even after the abolition of privy purse and accession of royal states the erstwhile maharajas of Mysore have kept this tradition of private durbar alive and for nine days in the evening scion ascends the golden throne much to the appreciation of the traditions by many visitors.
Darbar formed single most important custom of Dasara in Mysore when the rulers used to hold sessions at the Mysore Palace. Unlike now, when private durbars are held at Amba Vilas, ornate glass-topped hall inside the Palace also called darbar or Sajje, at the entrance that hosted the event.
