Mysuru: Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family has expressed disappointment over the management, coordination and disciplinary issues during the 2026 Vijayadashami celebrations, alleging poor coordination among government departments and repeated interference with the family’s religious rituals.
In a statement issued on October 25, Wadiyar raised concerns over the arrangements made for the annual festivities, including security management, the movement of participants and the conduct of personnel within the palace premises.
She proposed that the Sri Chamundeshwari Ammanavaru’s Ambari procession be shifted to the day of the Chamundi Hill Rathotsava, suggesting that the change could help ensure better coordination and allow the religious event to be conducted with the grandeur it deserves.
The statement has brought attention to the arrangements surrounding Mysuru Dussehra, one of Karnataka’s most prominent cultural and religious celebrations, in which the royal family’s traditional rituals remain an important feature.
Royal family raises concerns over coordination
Wadiyar said the family’s religious rituals during Dussehra 2026 had not proceeded smoothly, citing recurring problems involving police personnel, security arrangements and coordination among the departments responsible for managing the celebrations.
According to her statement, the lack of coordination affected the conduct of traditional ceremonies and created difficulties for participants and members of the royal household.
The organisation of Mysuru Dussehra involves multiple government departments and agencies, particularly during Vijayadashami, when ceremonies and processions attract large crowds. Wadiyar’s concerns centred on the need to ensure that these arrangements respect the religious traditions associated with the celebrations.
She also highlighted the importance of discipline among officials and others present within the palace premises, arguing that those assigned responsibilities during the festivities should ensure that established customs are followed without unnecessary disruption.
Her remarks pointed to the need for clearer coordination between the authorities and the royal family, particularly regarding access arrangements, security protocols and the participation of traditional performers.
Proposal to shift Ambari procession to Rathotsava day
Among the key suggestions put forward by Wadiyar was moving the Sri Chamundeshwari Ammanavaru’s Ambari procession to the day of the Rathotsava on Chamundi Hill.
She urged the government to consider the proposal in the interest of everyone involved and to organise the procession with “all grandeur befitting the Nada Devathe”, referring to the presiding deity revered as the goddess of the state.
The proposal seeks to bring greater attention to the religious significance of the procession and the traditions associated with the worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari.
Mysuru Dussehra is closely associated with the Chamundeshwari deity, whose worship forms a central part of the festival. The Vijayadashami celebrations combine religious ceremonies, royal traditions and public festivities, making coordination between the participating institutions particularly important.
Wadiyar’s suggestion would require consideration by the government and relevant authorities, given the arrangements involved in scheduling and conducting the traditional procession.
Her statement did not establish that the proposed change had been accepted. It was presented as a recommendation for consideration in response to the difficulties she said had occurred during the 2026 celebrations.
Wadiyar disputes claims about Vajramushti Kalaga
Wadiyar also addressed reports claiming that Vajramushti Kalaga, a traditional wrestling bout associated with the Vijayadashami rituals, had been discontinued for the first time in history.
She described the reports as “factually incorrect”, stating that the event had not been held on certain occasions during the 1970s and 1980s. She also pointed out that it was skipped in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her clarification challenged the claim that the absence of the bout in 2026 represented an unprecedented break with tradition.
Vajramushti Kalaga is associated with the Jetty community and forms part of the traditional martial and wrestling practices linked to the Mysuru royal household’s Vijayadashami observances.
The event has historical and cultural significance within the festival, making its scheduling and organisation a matter of interest to those following Mysuru’s traditional celebrations.
Wadiyar’s remarks sought to distinguish the reported absence of the event in a particular year from claims that the tradition had never previously been interrupted.
Entry arrangements for wrestlers questioned
Wadiyar also referred to difficulties involving members of the Jetty community during this year’s celebrations.
She said she had met the community’s Ustads before Vijayadashami. However, on the day of the event, one group of wrestlers reportedly entered the palace premises while another group was unable to gain entry.
According to her statement, the incident indicated a lack of coordination among the departments responsible for managing entry for pass holders and participants.
The contrasting experiences of the two groups raised questions about how access arrangements had been communicated and implemented.
For traditional ceremonies involving specific communities and designated participants, entry procedures and coordination are important to ensure that rituals proceed as planned. Wadiyar’s remarks suggested that these arrangements required greater clarity and more effective implementation.
She called attention to the need for officials responsible for security and access control to work together so that eligible participants can enter the designated premises without confusion or unnecessary disruption.
Police personnel criticised over conduct near Golden Ambari
Wadiyar also criticised the conduct of police personnel and their family members who gathered near the Golden Ambari to take selfies and photographs.
She described the behaviour as a lack of discipline, expressing concern over the presence and activities of personnel in an area associated with the ceremonial proceedings.
Her criticism formed part of the wider concerns she raised about the management of the festivities and the need for officials to maintain appropriate conduct while performing their duties.
The Golden Ambari is an important feature of the Mysuru Vijayadashami celebrations, and the arrangements surrounding it involve security, crowd management and the preservation of ceremonial traditions.
Wadiyar’s statement emphasised that those entrusted with official responsibilities should exercise restraint and ensure that their conduct does not interfere with the dignity of the occasion.
Government urged to review arrangements
Concluding her statement, Wadiyar urged the government to consider her proposals in the interest of all stakeholders and to ensure that future celebrations are organised with better coordination and discipline.
Her suggestions include reconsidering the timing of the Ambari procession, improving coordination among departments and ensuring that religious rituals and traditional participants are accommodated appropriately.
The concerns raised by the erstwhile royal family have highlighted the logistical challenges involved in organising a festival that brings together religious observances, traditional performances, official arrangements and large public gatherings.
Wadiyar’s proposed changes remain recommendations for the government to consider. Any decision on shifting the procession or modifying the arrangements would require consultation with the relevant authorities and stakeholders.
The broader issue, as reflected in her statement, is how Mysuru can preserve the religious and historical character of Vijayadashami while ensuring that administrative arrangements support the smooth conduct of its traditional ceremonies.