Pramoda Devi expresses ‘deep disappointment’ over conduct of Dasara 2026; proposes shifting deity’s Ambari procession to Rathotsava day

Pramoda Devi Wadiyar proposes that the deity’s ‘Ambari’ procession be held on Rathotsava day at a suitable time in the evening, from the Mysuru palace to Bannimantap.

Pramoda Devi Wadiyar

“Every year, I go out of my way to make things easier and extend full cooperation to all concerned, but they seem to take us for granted, which has left me disappointed.”Pramoda Devi Wadiyar Member of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family

Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family has urged the government to hold the Sri Chamundeshwari Ammanavaru’s procession on the Ambari on the day of the Rathotsava atop Chamundi Hills instead of on Vijayadashami, citing recurring coordination failures and interference with the family’s religious rituals during Dasara.

In a lengthy press statement issued on Sunday, she expressed deep disappointment over the conduct of Dasara 2026, alleging a lack of coordination among government departments and police personnel that caused inconvenience to the royal family and its representatives and interfered with customary rituals.

She suggested that the government continue cultural programmes during the first seven days of Dasara, but keep the palace premises free of government activities on Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami, allowing the royal family to perform its rituals at its convenience without external interference.

She proposed that the deity’s ‘Ambari’ procession be held on Rathotsava day at a suitable time in the evening, from the Mysuru palace to Bannimantap.

Ms. Pramoda Devi said recurring incidents had made her reconsider the decision to conduct the deity’s procession on Vijayadashami, as it overlapped with the royal family’s rituals. Describing the religious ceremonies as an important part of the Navaratri festivities, she said the government’s Dasara had no relevance or religious significance and therefore urged the government to consider rescheduling the procession while ensuring the smooth conduct of the ‘Nada Habba’.

Appealing for public support, she said the proposal was intended to safeguard the family’s religious ceremonies while allowing the government to conduct cultural events without disruption.

Ms. Pramoda Devi also raised concerns over the recurring disputes involving the Jetty community, which conducts the traditional Vajramushti Kalaga on Vijayadashami, and police personnel. She said one group of wrestlers had entered the palace premises this year, while another was unable to gain entry, resulting in confusion. She alleged that police personnel at a particular gate had refused entry to the wrestlers.

Clarifying reports that the Vajramushti Kalaga had been discontinued for the first time in history, she termed the claim factually incorrect. The event had not been held on certain occasions in the 1970s and 1980s and was also suspended in 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She also alleged security lapses around the Golden Ambari, claiming that police personnel and their family members had gathered near it for selfies and photographs. Unauthorised persons from various government departments had entered the restricted area, while her representatives carrying valid duty passes had allegedly been manhandled by police personnel and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), which is totally unacceptable, she said. “They need to know that the Ambari is private property and does not belong to the State,” she clarified. The Ambari was made available at the request of the Commissioner of Police, who had given an undertaking to avoid any damage to the Ambari, she said.

The royal family’s private parking area had also been occupied by police vehicles, while barricading arrangements had created hurdles for the conduct of religious rituals, she alleged.

Another concern was the delay in informing the family about the elephant designated to carry the Golden Ambari this year. Ms. Pramoda Devi said that, for the first time in 45 years, the family had not been informed in advance, and she had to approach the Deputy Conservator of Forests five days before the event to ascertain which elephant had been selected.

“Every year, I go out of my way to make things easier and extend full cooperation to all concerned, but they seem to take us for granted, which has left me disappointed,” she said, urging the government to consider her suggestions in the interests of all concerned and shift the procession to Rathotsava day with grandeur befitting the Nada Devathe.

It may be noted that the finale procession of the Dasara had seen a controversy with a few Ministers being stopped by the police from entering the procession area.