Krishnaraja Circle, Chamaraja Circle and Jayachamaraja Circle need attention, pronto
Mysore/Mysuru: The three Royal Circles, namely Krishnaraja Circle (K.R. Circle), Chamaraja Circle and Jayachamaraja Circle that signify the heritage and culture of Mysuru, right in the heart of the city, have become victims of apathy.
The three Circles are like jewels adorning Mysuru city and well-etched in public memory though these landmarks have gone off the radar of their custodian, the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC).
The statues have been installed in the memory of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, Chamaraja Wadiyar and Jayachamaraja Wadiyar. They are located visually close to the majestic Mysore Palace and add sheen and royalty to the iconic Palace.
Though minor painting, restorations and decorations are carried out during Dasara, there is no dedicated system of repairs, thanks to the neglect of officers and elected representatives. Even the public have to take the blame as they enter the statue premises to take selfies or photos and vandalise the structure.
K.R. Circle: The ceiling plaster of K.R. Circle — at the junction of Devaraj Urs Road, Albert Victor Road, Sayyaji Rao Road and New Sayyaji Rao Road — has come off at places. If urgent repairs are not carried out, there is a danger of more ceiling parts chipping off.
It may be recalled that during the last Dasara, the ceiling plaster had chipped off and repairs were carried out. But due to patchwork-like works instead of doing comprehensive repairs, the ceiling plaster peeling off has become a regular affair. Unfortunately, no analysis is done to ascertain the real causes for the plaster to give away.
Chamaraja Wadiyar Circle: Even Chamaraja Wadiyar Circle, the first one with a statue, to the North of Mysore Palace at the junction of Ashoka Road and Albert Victor Road needs urgent repairs. The retaining wall that surrounds the statue pedestal has been damaged. Many attractive balustrades around the statue have fallen off along with the upper platforms of the balustrades.
Jayachamaraja Circle: When compared to other Circles, Jayachamaraja Circle (Hardinge Circle) was constructed five to six years ago where six roads meet. Namma Mysuru Foundation maintained it for a year or so and then when the maintenance was handed over to MCC, the neglect began.
The granite stones on the four sides of the statue pedestal have chipped off at a couple of places and the balustrades too have been damaged. The roof of Jayachamaraja Circle is leaking at four to five places and decorative bulbs are dangling by wires.
No maintenance, no security: Neither there is proper maintenance of the Circles nor there is any security. If at all the MCC has an intention of protecting the heritage Circles, it must undertake comprehensive repairs and appoint security personnel to guard them from vandals. In addition, CCTV cameras must be installed.
Unless appropriate and regular maintenance of the whole city, including its historical palaces and other landmarks, is carried out by MCC and the so-called people’s representatives, they should not come to people’s doors seeking votes in the next election, neither people should entertain their presence when they come. Unless the people take responsibility for the city, no politician and no babu will do any good to the city because they are busy in fending their own affairs all through the years. The sight of the city is deplorable compared to what it was over 30-40 years ago. No more beauty is left for citizens to feel proud of their city and perhaps visitors and tourists come here beguiled by its old glory and definitely lament looking at the neglected history of the Maharajas.
Not surprising at all. What else can we expect from our government. These structures will only be repaired when Dasara approaches. Government promotes Mysore as global tourist destination but sadly the facilities, maintenance and management of tourist places is third class.
By early 1980s, Mysore was becoming a dump, with massive influx of non-Mysoreans like the owner of this SOM.
NR Mohalla was looking like a section in Karachi, Pakistan!
Mysore, an international tourist destination says a dim witted ignoramus.
Mysore does not register anywhere as a tourist destination of any kind beyond South India. Try saying , you are from Mysore to some one in Gwalior, MP, and that person will blink!
I guess your MP Simha, MLA Nagendra and MC Andrudu Reddy, engineer/MBA/IAS officer do not care!
The sword of Sri Chamaraja wadiyar was damaged broken it was reported. Additionally the pigeons make the place dirty with their droppings. These need to be addressed. A ban on feeding of pigeons which leads to this problem is immediately required.
MCC means Most Corrupt Chors who have least regards for the monuments.
Each of the politician is busy looting.
Hey posters
You live in Mysore/India, where corruption is the national culture. Politicians, institutions and the society are all corrupt.