Cancellation of Vajra Mushti Kalaga: Pramoda Devi Wadiyar to issue a statement

Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Saturday.

Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the erstwhile royal family of Mysuru has said she will issue a statement shortly on the circumstances that led to the cancellation of the traditional Vajra Mushti Kalaga during the Vijayadashami celebrations at the Mysuru palace on Wednesday.

Responding to reporters’ queries in Mysuru, Ms. Wadiyar said she was yet to gather complete information about the developments that led to the cancellation of the historic martial tradition.

Vajra Mushti Kalaga, an ancient form of martial combat in which wrestlers strike each other on their shaved heads with knuckle-dusters, has traditionally been held ahead of the erstwhile royal family’s private procession on Vijayadashami.

The event was, however, cancelled this year after wrestlers alleged that the police had prevented some of them from entering the Mysuru palace premises in time to participate.

Meanwhile, Ms. Wadiyar, however, expressed satisfaction over elephant Prashanta successfully carrying the golden howdah and ensuring the smooth completion of the Jamboo Savari.

She admitted that she had been anxious about Prashanta carrying the golden howdah. It may be mentioned that it was 54-year-old male elephant Prashanta’s first time performing the task following the retirement of his predecessor, Abhimanyu, upon attaining the age of 60.