Yaduveer urges government to frame official protocol for Dasara rituals

Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Mysuru MP, has urged the State government to formulate a clear protocol specifying the dignitaries entitled to ascend the platform to shower flower petals on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari during the Jamboo Savari and participate in the Nandi Dhwaja puja on Vijayadashami day in Mysuru.

Responding to reporters’ queries about the alleged breach of protocol during the Vijayadashami celebrations at the Mysuru palace on Wednesday, Mr. Yaduveer, who is also the scion of the erstwhile royal family of Mysuru, said he was not aware whether a formal protocol governing the participation of dignitaries in the rituals existed.

“Nobody knows what the protocol is. Let the government clearly spell it out and conduct the proceedings in accordance with its stipulations in the coming years,” he said.

Recalling his participation in the ritual of showering flower petals on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed in the howdah during the Jamboo Savari, Mr. Yaduveer said he had, over the years, seen the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and a few officials on the elevated platform.

When asked about the presence of the Chief Ministers of Kerala and Telangana, V.D. Satheesan and A. Revanth Reddy, respectively, on the platform this year, Mr. Yaduveer said they had been invited as guests, and their participation would help promote the Dasara.

“How can you invite them as guests and not ask them to shower flower petals on the deity?” he asked.

Referring to the confusion during the Nandi Dhwaja puja, when the police prevented some Ministers from entering the enclosure, Mr. Yaduveer said the government, which organises the ritual, should formulate a protocol and ensure that the proceedings are conducted accordingly.

In his view, limiting the number of dignitaries participating in the rituals would help ensure their smooth conduct. Since the Chief Minister represented the people, his presence alone would suffice, he said.