Madhuvana Mysore Royal Cemetery
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Madhuvana Mysore Royal Cemetery (Kannada: ಮೈಸೂರಿನ ರಾಜವಂಶಸ್ಥರ ಸಮಾಧಿ ಮಧುವನಕ್ಕೆ ಜೀರ್ಣೋದ್ಧಾರ) is a site in Mysuru where many members of the Wadiyar royal family were cremated. It is located on Mysuru-Nanjangud road,[1] and is on five acres of land.[2] It is also known as "Khasa Brindavan", or "private garden".[2] The cemetery is in the process of becoming a tourist attraction.[2][3]
The history of Madhuvana dates back to the 18th century.[3] The name Madhuvana means "land of honey".[2] Most of the twenty-five Wadiyar kings who ruled during the Yadu (Wadiyar) dynasty were cremated there.[1][3] When the royals were cremated, they would use sandalwood logs for the pyre.[2] Then, the site was covered by a carved structure with architecture similar to a temple with ornate pillars and doors.[2] The tombs (Brindavanas) are an example of cross-cultural influence from Islamic and Christian tradition.[3]
Notable cremations
Lakshmammanni, the third wife of Immadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, was one of the first to be cremated at the Madhuvana.[3] Maharaja Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar died in 1868 and was cremated there and the tomb is at the entrance.[3] Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, Yuvaraja Sri Kanteerva Narasimharaja Wadiyar, and their mother Vani Vilasa Sannidana, the dowager queen, all have tombs in the same row.[2][3] The twenty-fifth and final king Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar also was cremated here with his tomb at the entrance.[1][3] In 2013, the cremation of the scion of Mysore royal family Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar was performed there.[3][4] The last to be cremated was Vishalakshi Devi, daughter of Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar in 2018 during Dasara.[3]