Mysuru: The Mysuru royal family has a new heir. He is 22-year-old Yaduveer Gopalaraje Urs, the grandson of Princess Gayatri Devi and son of Tripurasundari Devi and Swaraup Gopal Raj Us. His adoption as the heir was announced by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar during a press conference at Amba Vilas Palace on Thursday.
Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs will continue the Dasara traditions of the Wadiyar dynasty and carry forward the protracted legal battle over the acquisition of palace with the State Government.
Making an official announcement at the palace premises, an emotional Maharani Pramoda Devi, the widow of Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, said that the entire family was of a unanimous opinion that Yaduveer was best suited to take over the mantle of Srikantadatta Wodeyar..
As Srikantadatta and Pramoda Devi have no children, they have to adopt Yaduveer first for him to be the king. Yaduveer comes from the Bettada Kote family whose association with the Wadiyars of Mysuru goes back to more than 200 years.
The adoption ceremony will be held on February 23 and will be an elaborate but private affair. The family members are planning a procession late in the evening. Consequent to his adoption, he will be renamed as Yaduveer Krishna Datta Chamaraja Wodeyar.
“I have decided to adopt him because of the strong ties between his family, the Bettada Kote Family and the Wadiyar line. Maharani Lakshmiammani who was instrumental in getting the throne back to Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar hailed from the same family. Even Chamaraja Wadiyar, who was adopted by Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, belonged to the same family before his adoption,” the Maharani said.
“We are aware of the responsibilities and legal implications of Yaduveer being chosen as the next heir,” she added.
On February 23 adoption rituals will begin at 6:30 am. There is a possibility of a procession later in the day. “Yaduveer will be in the city next week to prepare for the ceremonies. He will be supported by his family through every step,” his father said.
Yaduveer studied in Vidya Niketan School, Bengaluru up to standard ten and at Canadian International School, Bengaluru to complete his standard twelve, after which he left for the U.S. He is currently doing his BA, majoring in Economics and English at Boston. He plays Veena, is a writer and has a keen interest in literature. He is also a runner. Yaduveer is also keen on continuing his studies, the family said.
