The city imposed a self-declared bandh to pay tribute to Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar on Wednesday. The city residents went into mourning after the demise of Wadiyar. Huge crowds headed towards the palace to see Wadiyar’s body, which was kept there for public viewing. Mysoreans from all walks of life took a break from their day-to-day activities on Wednesday, to mourn Wadiyar. Business in the city came to a standstill.
Many people were unable to get a last glimpse of Wadiyar as the entrance to the palace was closed at 11.30 am. The city wore a deserted look and many of the public stayed at home, watching the live coverage of Wodeyar’s last rites on television channels.
The busy commercial areas of D Devaraj Urs Road, Devaraja Market, Mandi Market and Agrahara Market were all closed. To avoid inconvenience for the public to visit the palace, the KSRTC did not stop its service. Autorickshaw services continued as normal, but auto drivers lit a lamp in front of Wadiyar’s image in autorickshaws stands. Flexes of Wadiyar could be seen in all major junctions and streets of the residential areas and the industrial establishment. In many areas, the public offered pooja before the portrait of Wadiyar kept at junctions, by offering flowers and lighting a lamp in front of it.
Except essential service like hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, chemist shops and milk suppliers, all commercial establishments like cinema halls, malls, banks and petrol bunks were closed. Vehicle owners were affected due to the lack of fuel. As a holiday was declared in advance, all state government offices, institutes, schools and colleges remained closed. The Tricolour was on half-mast at all government office buildings. Some tourist spots like St Philomena’s Church remained opened.