Karnataka Minister Dr Yathindra has responded firmly to the concerns raised by Rajmata Pramoda Devi Wadiyar regarding the Mysuru Dasara, golden howdah, and elephant for the Vijayadashami procession. The royal family and state government coordination is the most important factor, he said, adding that the government will continue to organise the official Dasara celebrations.
Yathindra said on October 26 in Mysuru that the government was ready to resolve disagreements through talks. But he also made it clear that the state would take the necessary steps regarding the celebrations and that the royal family's proposals could not automatically determine the government's decisions.
All the comments have drawn attention to the relationship between the Mysuru royal family and the state government over the management of the historic festival.
Yathindra says the government will continue to organise Dasara
As for problems with the government-organized Dasara celebrations not being given enough importance, Yathindra said the state has been doing official Dasara celebrations since 1971.
He said the festival after Independence evolved as a public event democratically created by the government. The government will continue this tradition, the minister said.
Yathindra also said that the government was prepared to discuss the issues raised by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar and work towards a solution through dialogue.
He said that both sides should recognise each other’s role in the festival. The government runs the public celebrations, but the royal family has the freedom to hold its private and religious ceremonies.
In order for this to happen, the minister said mutual understanding and coordination should be kept in place so disputes don’t spiral into more serious issues.
Seven-Day Dasara Proposal faces Government opposition
One of the issues in dispute is a proposal for a longer period of seven days of government-run festivities and allowing the royal family's religious rituals associated with Vijayadashami and Ayudha Puja to take place.
Responding to the proposal, Yathindra said the government would not simply accept the arrangement suggested by the royal family.
He maintained that the official festival would be organised according to the government's decisions and that the Palace Board's role did not mean that every proposal from the royal family could be implemented.
The dispute underlines how to balance the public celebrations with the palace’s traditional religious rituals. Mysuru Dasara is a prime cultural event for Karnataka and a festival with long-standing royal and religious traditions.
The minister said the government is ready to discuss that issue, but the state would decide on the final arrangements for the official celebrations.
Golden Howdah dispute: ‘We pay to use it’
The use of the golden howdah, which has been associated with the grand Vijayadashami procession, has also been a point of dispute.
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar has expressed concerns about the howdah and the arrangements around its use. Yathindra said the government takes the howdah for the Jamboo Savari procession by paying for its use and returns it afterwards.
His remarks were intended to address the royal family’s concerns about the howdah and the government’s involvement in the annual procession.
The golden howdah is one of the most famous symbols of Mysuru Dasara. During the Vijayadashami procession, it is carried by a specially trained elephant and is an attraction to many lakhs of people.
Any disagreement over its use thus has great cultural significance, and hence coordination between the relevant authorities and the royal family is particularly crucial.
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar Raises Questions About Elephant Selection
Another issue is the selection of the elephant for the golden howdah procession.
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar said that the royal family had not been informed of the change in the elephant selected for the procession. The issue became particularly sensitive because the choice of the lead elephant is an important part of the festival's arrangements.
Yathindra explained that the Forest Department's decision took time and remained uncertain until close to the event. He said Dhananjaya had first been mentioned before Mahendra was selected, which might have contributed to the delay in communicating the final decision.
The minister also noted that informing Pramoda Devi Wadiyar about the elephant selection was not necessarily required.
The response has added another dimension to the wider debate over consultation, communication and the respective responsibilities of the government, the Forest Department and the royal family during Dasara.
VIDEO | Mysuru: Karnataka Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah on the Mysuru Dussehra row, says, "The board and land belong to the government; due respect has been shown to the royals." (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) https://t.co/h1vKijtTyF
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 26, 2026
Government Says It Is Ready for Talks
Yathindra said the government was ready to work to resolve differences with the royal family.
The state government and the palace should respect each other's roles, he said. The government would continue to organise the official Dasara celebrations, and the royal family would be free to conduct its private religious rituals.
The minister's words demonstrate that the government intends to keep the existing framework in place for official celebrations but leaves some room for discussion on disagreements.
The developments have once again laid bare the tricky balance between Mysuru’s royal traditions and the administration of a major public festival in a democratic state.
As discussions continue, the key question will be whether both sides can arrive at some practical understanding about the golden howdah, elephant selection, and the scheduling of celebrations without the disruption of the traditions that make Mysuru Dasara such an important cultural event for Karnataka.
Comments