Dasara: Golden throne held in awe

Mysore, Oct 7: The golden throne and Howdah with a history of their own will be the cynosure of all eyes during the world famous Dasara festivities beginning here on October 12.

The ten-day event, concluding on 'Vijyadasami' on October 21, has a history dating back to several centuries.

Apart from the state-sponsored Dasara festivities, the scion of the Wadiyar Dynasty, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, continues to maintain the traditional link in performing the religious ceremonies according to the norms laid down in various texts. Historical records show after the fall of the Vijyanagara Empire, the Nayakas of Keladi and Ikkeri and the Wadiyars of Mysore continued to celebrate the festival.

Monarchy might not have relevance in a democratic setup. But the throne, which endured the test of time, is still held in awe as visitors yearn to catch a glimpse of this hallowed relic of the past.

The priceless golden throne belonged to the Pandavas. Historical records show in 1338, the Raja Guru of the Vijyanagar Empire, Vidyanarya, helped Harihara I, one of the founders of the Vijayanagara Empire, to retrieve the throne.

Subsequent rulers used the throne for more then a century. In 1609, the ailing Governor, Srinarya, handed over the throne to Raja Wadiyar before retiring to Talkadu near Mysore.

Raja Wadiyar acended the throne in 1610 marking the commencement of of Dasara festivities in this part of the region.

The throne was recovered from a room in Tippu Sultan's Palace at Srirangapatanna after his fall.

It was then used in the coronation of Raja Wadiyar III in 1799 and since then, remained with the Wadiyar family.

UNI