The story of the Mysore royal family: The new heir, dussehra festivities and the curse

This 22-year-old, who until a few months ago was a student pursuing bachelor’s degree in Arts and majoring in Economics and English aimed at a career as a consultant, is now the titular head of the Mysore royal family.

This is of huge importance to the people of Karnataka, especially in the cultural city of Mysore. The world-renowned Mysore dussehra festival is incomplete unless the royal family presides over the royal court at the Amba Vilas Palace in Mysore.

However, the people of Mysore witnessed one such dussehra in 2014. After the death of Srikantadatta Narisimharaja Wodiyar in 2013, who had not adopted any heir, Pramoda Devi (his wife) refused to adopt citing that it would be painful for the heir to fight a legal battle regarding the possession of ancestral property.

Currently, a major portion of the palace is under the control of the Government of Karnataka, acquired by passing the Mysore Palace Acquisition Act. Only a small portion of the palace, towards the West Gate, is under the possession of the royal family.

However, in February 2015, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar adopted the grandson of Gayatri Devi, the sister of the late King. After the adoption, Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs was rechristened Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar. The handsome young prince is engaged to Thrishika Kumari, the younger daughter of Yuvaraja of Dungarpur Harshvardhan Singh Bahadur.

In a facebook post, the new scion of the Mysore royal family, stated, “I would like to once again thank everyone for the support and acceptance of me as the custodian to our great legacy. The ease with which you have accepted me can only be an outcome of the reverence we, as the people of Mysore, have for my forefathers and their immense contribution to Mysore State. The positivity, energy, and enthusiasm with which the people of Mysore participated in the events were, and still are, very invigorating. It was a privilege to be amongst my fellow Mysoreans during such a transformative moment. I know that, with your continued support, we can uphold the glory of Mysore, contribute to it, enrich it, and ensure that our state remains a focal point of India’s rich history, spirituality, philosophy, and culture.”

Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodiyar’s favourite dish is the famous biryani from the Mysore Sports Club and says he eats pretty much anything without guilt, because he exercises. He enjoys running and says that it’s a great way to channelize energy. Competant in guitar, he is now learning the Saraswati Veena. He says, one of his first tasks on ascending the throne, is to become proficient in the traditions, festivals and customs of the Wadiyar Dynasty, so that he can perform the duties as the custodian of the legacy of the Yadu dyasty.

The Wodiyars ruled that kingdom almost uninterruptedly between 1399 and 1947; however Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan were the de facto rulers between 1761–1796 and between 1799 and 1947, they allied with the British Crown and ruled the Mysore region.

Trivia: Reeling under the curse of Alamelamma

For over 400 years, the Mysore royal family has been reeling under her curse of Alamelamma – the wife of a chieftain who was defeated by Srikantadatta’s ancestors. It is believed that it is because of this curse that every alternate generation ascending the royal throne goes childless, forcing the royal family to adopt an heir.