Mysore: The Mysore Royal family performed the Ayudha pooja also called ‘Astra Puja’ or ‘worship of weapons’ inside the courtyard of Mysore palace during the nine-day Navratri festivities, bringing alive memories of an erstwhile era.
The newly crowned King Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar performed the Ayudha pooja in a private ceremony. The rituals began around 10:30 am after the completion of the Chandika yatra inside the palace. Prayers were also offered to the royal armoury- swords, guns and daggers of the Wadiyar dynasty. Royal horses and elephants were also worshipped.
Scion of the royal family also performed 'Kusmananda' (cutting of pumpkin) ritual inside the Palace. This was followed by the procession to the Bhuveneswari temple with the weapons carried in a golden palanquin.
The Mysuru Dasara celebrations always add a royal flavour to the festivities. It showcases the culture and the efforts of the Wadiyar family to keep their tradition alive.
The initial nine days saw the private durbar of the Mysore Royal family held to commemorate Dasara festivities, the genesis of which was traced to the celebrations observed by the Vijayanagar emperors in Hampi.
The baton was passed to the Wadiyars who kept alive the tradition with customary rituals adding a dash of colour with the caparisoned elephants, horses, and soldiers participating in the pooja celebrations.
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