Mysuru, Oct 13 (IANS/DHNS): Wodeyar dynasty's new head and Mysuru's titular Maharaja Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja on Tuesday ascended the golden throne in the Amba Vilas Palace here, marking the first day of the 10-day Dasara festival.

Dressed in traditional robes, with the royal headgear his ancestors sported once, the 23-year-old performed various rituals before climbing the throne around noon, considered auspicious, in the private portion of the royal palace in the city, about 150km from Bengaluru.

"The khas durbar, which is the private area of the royal family, came alive after a year with our new maharaja sitting on the throne amid chanting of Vedic hymns and rituals," a palace official told IANS.

After Srikantadatta Wodeyar passed away on December 10, 2013 in Bengaluru without naming a successor, the royal sword (pattada katti) was placed on the throne at the start of the Navaratri festival in the absence of his successor until his widow Pramoda Devi adopted Yaduveer. His coronation took place in May this year.

Yaduveer gave a royal salute as the police band played the erstwhile Mysore state anthem "Kayo Sri Gowri" in the background. He also received offerings from 24 mutts and temples, including Chamundi Hill, Srirangapatna, Melukote and Sringeri Sharada peetam and blessings of palace priests.

"He also offered prayers to the idol of Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari at 'kanna thotti' (cradle) in the palace premises after holding royal durbar from the throne," the official added.

As the state government sponsors the Dasara celebrations in this cultural capital of Karnataka, progressive farmer Puttaiah from nearby H.D. Kote inaugurated the 10-day festival in presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a few cabinet ministers and other dignitaries.

"As most parts of the state are reeling under drought due to deficit monsoon and agrarian crisis gripping the state with about 500 farmers committing suicide since July, the state government has decided to keep the Dasara fest a low-key celebration to express solidarity with the farming community," an official said.

Puttaiah, accompanied by a host of dignitaries, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, offered floral tributes to the idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari at 11.07 am during the auspicious Dhanur Lagna.

Utsava Murthy (Idol meant for procession) of the goddess, placed on a silver chariot decorated with flowers of types, was stationed at the right side of the podium near the temple. Priests performed Mangalarathi to the Goddess marking the beginning of the rituals.

As part of Navaratri, the puja rituals at the main temple started at 5.30 am with Poorvanyasa rudrabhiseka, followed by Panchamrita Abhisheka and other rituals. The idol was decorated as ‘Hamsavahini’ (Riding the duck), according to chief priest of the temple Shashishekar Dixit.

Though a ‘simple and traditional’ festival this year, as announced by the government in the wake of drought and farmer suicides, the mood was upbeat at the hill shrine. The road to the temple, from the temporary welcome arch in front of the police outpost, was decorated with various types of rangolis, while the temple was also decorated with flowers of varied colours and types.

While the routine Navaratri message was restricted to the recalling of history, when Wodeyars of the Yadu dynasty, the erstwhile rulers of Mysuru, were celebrating the festival with pomp and gaiety till the abolition of privy purse in 1969, that was continued by the successive governments as ‘Nada Habba’, it turned out a perfect stage for VVIPs of the day to send a message to the crisis-hit farmers’ community.

Not just the progressive farmer Puttaiah, even Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Chamundeshwari MLA G T Devegowda recalled their stint as farmers, before venturing into politics. Siddaramaiah said, “I was tilling land till I joined LLB after completing my BSc. I was also general secretary of Raitha Sangha in 1980”.

To send a message to farmers, who are in the habit of raising loans, Siddaramaiah said, “Barring my father, who had obtained loan once from a PLD Bank, nobody in our undivided family has availed loans. We still don’t have individual khatas to prevent any possibilities of taking loans,” he added.

Devegowda said, “I also have experience in the fields and have witnessed drought during the 60s”.

Earlier, the chief minister and other dignitaries were offered Poornakumba welcome on their arrival at the shrine.

They were brought to the temple amid performing artistes of various cultural troupes.