Dasara Durbar at Mysore Palace: Royal family’s preparations for ‘Navaratri’ in full swing  

ROYAL CLICK: A panoramic view of the magnificent Mysore Palace captured by SOM photographer M.N. Lakshminarayana Yadav from the Rajendra Vilas Palace atop Chamundi Hill.

Mysuru: Even as the whole city is getting decked-up like a bride to celebrate the 408th Dasara, the preparations for Navaratri are in full swing at the focus of the ten-day festival — The Mysore Palace.

The Navaratri pujas will begin with Navagraha homa and other Shanti pujas from Sept. 15 between 7.45 am and 8.45 am. On the same day, from 9.45 am to 10.15 am the Golden Throne will be assembled in the Amba Vilas. The Pattada elephant and horse will also be a part of this ceremony.

On Sept. 21, the commencement of Dasara, the lions will be placed on the throne between 7.55 am and 8.15 am, and then the ceremony will shift to Chamundi Thotti, where Kankanadarana Mahotsav will be performed between 8.20 am and 9.10 am. The Pattada elephant, horse and cow will all come near Savara Thotti at 11.15 am and at 12 noon Kalasa puja will be performed along with other religious practices.

Between 12.45 and 12.55 pm, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar will ascend the throne. After the ascension of the throne, the Chamundeshwari idol will be brought from Chamundi Thotti to Kannadi Thotti between 1.35 and 1.45 pm.

On Sept. 27, Saraswathi puja will be performed from 9.15 to 9.45 in the morning and later the Kalaratri puja will be performed at Kannadi Thotti.

Ayudha Puja: Chandi Homa will begin at 6.15 am on Sept. 29 and at 6.45 am, the Pattada elephant, horse and cow will arrive near Aane Bagilu (Elephant door entrance). At 7.25 am through the same door weapons in the Palace armoury will brought and taken to Sri Kodi Someshwara Temple inside the Palace premises. After the puja rituals there, the weapons will be brought to Kalyana Mantap between 8.20 to 8.40 am. The Chandi Homa Poornahuti will be performed here from 8.45 to 9 am.

The Ayudha Puja will begin at 12.15 pm and at 7 pm the same night, scion Yaduveer Wadiyar will conduct the Durbar at Amba Vilas Durbar Hall. After that, in the puja room, kankana will be removed.

Last Day: On Sept.30, Vijayadashami, the last day of Dasara, the Pattada elephant, horse and cow will arrive at the Aane Bagilu. After the Uttara puja to the weapons at 12.10 pm, they will be taken to Sri Bhuvaneshwari Temple. During this time, Shami puja will be performed to the Shami tree as part of the victory parade.

After the victory parade, the idol of Goddess Sri Chamundeshwari will be brought to Chamundi Thotti.

The throne will be dismantled on Oct.14 between 10.15 and 11.15 am and once again kept in the strong room of the Palace.

This post was published on September 14, 2017 6:55 pm