Sir,

This is with reference to the news item ‘District Minister Replies…’ (SOM dated Oct. 26), in which the Minister made certain unsavoury remarks about the Mysore Royal Family and said, “The Palace belongs to the Government and the Royal Family has been provided space for residence in a portion of the Palace. That is all.”

As a child, I remember watching the beautiful Jumboo Savari. The Maharaja of Mysore would sit on the Durbar Aane or Ambari Aane and begin the procession to Bannimantap.

It was a wonderful sight. There were no media personnel or people near the elephant. Only two Angarakshas accompanied it, holding a pole with a tray attached to it so that flowers offered by the public could reach the Raja. He would touch the flowers and shower them back on the people. The public would go bonkers when they received the flowers. Such was the love we had for our Maharaja.

We Mysureans will forever remain indebted to the Maharajas for the vast tracts of land they donated for institutions such as Manasagangothri, CFTRI and KRS, as well as for most Government Offices. The broad, tree-lined roads, known as avenues and boulevards, were also gifts to us from the Maharajas.

The Palace, with the Maharaja taking his seat in the Durbar at 7 pm sharp, was simply magical. The lights would come on just as he stepped onto the throne. The elephant would then salute him with flowers. That was Dasara.

Every household had visitors during Dasara, while children enjoyed Gombe Habba. Every Mysurean considered Dasara our own festival. Even Chamundi Hill was not crowded and anyone could visit it with ease. Times have changed and Dasara has now become a spectacle of lights and pomp. I would credit CESC for the wonderful illumination, but traffic management leaves much to be desired.

The Royal Family’s rituals have continued for many decades and we must respect them. We are also indebted to the family for its generosity and the many gifts it has bestowed on the city.

Even today, people flock to Mysuru to see its beautiful sights. But are we not discrediting the very people who helped create this heritage, with the support of exemplary Dewans and engineers of the stature of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, hand-picked by the Maharaja?

When Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar passed away, the city came to a standstill of its own accord. Traders closed their shops, the roads were deserted and Mysureans mourned his death. This is what the Maharajas mean to us.

So, to say that we are providing you with a place to stay at the Palace is so very, very far from the truth, Mr. Minister.

—Vinoda Ramachandra

Dattagalli

28.10.2026