Bengaluru, 26 October

With the erstwhile royal family of Mysuru expressing displeasure over the conduct of the Mysuru Dussehra celebrations, Karnataka minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah said on Monday that while the Palace Board and the palace land belong to the government, due respect is being shown to the royals.

He was responding to a letter by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the Mysuru royal family expressing displeasure over the conduct of the Dussehra celebrations.

Yathindra, the minister for Urban Development, said the royal family had been allotted a portion of the Mysore palace for residence and that the government paid for using the Ambari (golden howdah) during the Jumbo Savari procession.

Pramoda Devi Wadiyar had in a letter expressed disappointment over the conduct of Dussehra 2026, alleging poor coordination among government departments and interference with the family's religious rituals, and proposed shifting the Sri Chamundeshwari Ammanavaru's Ambari procession to the day of the hill's Rathotsava (car festival).

She said problems involving police and access to the palace had made it difficult to conduct the family's ceremonies. 

Yathindra said the government would examine the complaints. 

On selection of the lead elephant, Yathindra said the Forest Department had taken time to decide between Mahendra and Dhananjaya. Mahendra had earlier been unable to complete the Ambari procession and had stopped midway, he said.

Meanwhile, deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said CM DK Shivakumar had followed traditions and there was no reason for Pramoda Devi to feel upset. 

BJP state president BY Vijayendra accused the Congress government of violating Dussehra traditions for publicity.