Mysuru royal family member Pramoda Devi Wodeyar has voiced strong displeasure over the political controversies surrounding this year’s world-famous Mysuru Dasara celebrations. In a press statement, she said the developments have caused her “deep pain and dismay,” particularly regarding the Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hill.
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She criticized the conflicting opinions triggered by the government’s choice of dignitaries to inaugurate the Naada Habba (People’s Dasara). “Statements claiming Chamundi Hill does not belong to Hindus are not correct,” she asserted. “If it were not a Hindu temple, it would never have been brought under the Muzrai Department.”
Navratri and Vijayadashami remain deeply religious
Pramoda Devi stressed that while the state-organized Dasara is a cultural celebration, rituals like Navratri and Vijayadashami remain deeply religious for devotees. “The government, by its very nature, cannot claim religious sanctity or tradition. Its Dasara is a cultural festival, while we continue to observe religious rituals privately, in accordance with age-old customs,” she clarified.
She further noted that to prevent overlap between official cultural events held in front of the palace and traditional worship, auspicious timings had been fixed for the Chamundeshwari Temple rituals and the grand Vijayadashami procession.
Expressing hope for unity, she added, “The current atmosphere of misconceptions and conflicts is troubling. I wish that this Ganesh Chaturthi paves the way for consensus and removes all obstacles.”