Bangalore: With the untimely death of Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wodeyar (SDNR Wodeyar), the 600 years old Mysore royal dynasty has come to an end. The childless 'Maharaja' of Mysore breathed his last in Bangalore on Tuesday.
The death of the king has plunged old Mysore region of Karnataka into mourning. The Yadu dynasty had ruled Mysore kingdom for nearly 550 years between 1399-1947. It was considered one of the longest reigning monarchies in the world during those days.
The kings of Mysore are revered and still worshipped by a large number of people in the old Mysore region of the state. Their contribution to the state and far-sightedness is still remembered by the grateful masses. Even today the old Mysore region is the most prosperous part of Karnataka.
The kings of Mysore modernised the state and laid a strong foundation for the future development of the state. SDNR Wodeyar was the only son of the last ruler of Mysore Jaya Chamarajendra Wodeyar, who was the king of Mysore between 1940-1947.
Wodeyar's father and grandfather Fourth Krishnaraja Wodeyar were responsible for making Mysore a modern state during the rule of British. Srikanta Datta Wodeyar had no children. Even after independence the kings of Mysore continued as the titular heads of the royal family ensuring that the traditions were followed.
The people were expecting the king to choose his successor. But, his sudden death has put question marks over the survival of 600 years old royal family.
According to Mysore palace sources, Wodeyar had almost made up his mind on succession before he died. They say his nephew (sister's son) Chaduranga Kantharaja Urs who performed the last rites of Wodeyar on Wednesday will succeed him as the head of the Mysore royal family.
The royal family still controls a lot of temples and other religious institutions in and around Mysore. They also preside over the Dasara celebrations, which is a state festival.
The family owns thousands of acres of land and palaces worth several thousand crores in Mysore and Bangalore. The 650 acre Bangalore Palace grounds and the Windsor Palace in Bangalore also belong to the family.
Wodeyar was fighting a lengthy legal battle over the control of some his properties. His wife Queen Pramoda Devi Wodeyar maintains a very low profile and is not familiar with legal matters. She would rarely appear in the public when her husband was alive.
According to Palace experts, if she chooses husband's nephew Chaduranga Kantharaja Urs as the next titular king, the unbroken traditions will continue and the people will be happy that the Yadu dynasty will survive and flourish.
The Karnataka government, which now organizes the annual Dasara festivities, also wants the royal family to have a successor. The mourning old Mysore region is now is pinning its hopes on the Queen Pramoda Devi Wodeyar. They are optimistic that she will respect the sentiments of the people and appoint a successor to her deceased husband.
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