Marriage of Princess Menaka of Cooch Behar
Marriage of Maharajkumar Yeaswant Rao pawar Of Dewas
- with
Maharaj Kumari Menaka Devi of Cooch Behar
Dated:- 19-02-1942, Thursday
It was a whole eight day state celebration
at CB. From the 17th
Feb 1942, morning up to 24th Feb 9pm. Honoured guests and relatives,
started pouring in to CB; 2/3days in advance. Your Jaipur mashima and meso
landed CB in a private plane. Amongst other dignitaries were Prince Uday Sing Rao Gakewad, Prince of Pithpuram, Thakur Saheb of Achral , Raja
Yeshwanta Sing, Nawab Nijamuddin ,Lieutenat NawabJada Mustafa Khan, Nawab Jada
Ahmmad Khan, Maharaj Kumari Bimala Raje,
princess Usha Raje, Begum Mohammad Umar, Begum Nijamuddin, Miss Abdul
Jabbar,Begum Ahammd Khan,and many others from brides side.
The Groom’s party consisted two sisters of groom Srimanta Maharajkumari
Alakananda bai sahib Maharaj, Srimanta Maharaj kumara soubhagyabati Indira Raje
Maharaj, Srimanta Dhairyashib Rao Pawar of Dhar state, Srimanta Sardar Lakshman
Rao Pawar Ghorpade Kapsi, revenue member of Dewas Sardar T.M. Pawar B.A.
L.L.B.,judicial member of Dewas and dewan Sardar G.S. Gandhe B.A. L.L.B. Bar et
law, Member in charge of commerce, tax and excise D.R.Lahiri M.A.,Sardar
Srimanta Joy singh Rao Pawar, Jaigirdar Tryambak Rao Lakshman Supekar with many
other high officials of Dewas Raj and honoured Sardars from the state.
17-02-1942:-Maharajkumar(groom) reached CB by
train, along with his party, at around 7.00 am ;in CB Rly station. The station
area, was filled with CB city dwellers, and subjects from all corners of the
state. They rushed to the station, just at the onset of dawn, and it became jam-packed,
by the moment the sun threw his first ray of light on the station. Obviously
they were pretty crazy and excited to have a glimpse of the groom. There joys
knew no bounds, when they first saw the whistling on rushing Train in the
horizon. And their spontaneous din and bustle, climbing to higher scales with
an opposite harmony with the decelerating advancing train.
`17-02-1942,Tuesday, The first ritual was of ‘Bar
Agaman”(arrival of groom) . For this auspicious moment, the whole station was decorated with
flowers, garlands, aam pallab(mango shoots),flags of both the states, numbers
of variegated filled pitchers and other propitious materials. Looked more a wedding pandal than a railway
Station. To welcome the groom, Maharaja J.D. Narayan ,Maharajkumar
Indrajitendra Narayan, Maharaja of Jaipur, Kumar Gautam Narayan, other Rajgons,
along with ministers in various colourful attire and other high officials; were
present at the station. At the north of the platform the state military and the
military band were lined. At the entry stick holding sepoys wearing glittering
golden spotted benarasis, were engaged in disciplined manner. Outside at parking area;. Elephants with gold
ornamented litter, with covering cloths worked with gold threads were placed in
waiting their royal riders. At the instance of the entry of the train in to
platform, cannons fired. The gun salutes were performed. The train stopped.
Door of special saloon opened. Before hundreds of curios and excited beholders;
the handsome Yuvaraj Birbikram
Sreemanta Yeswanta Rao Pawar, alighted slowly with all royal grace.
Instantly Maharaja of CB
facilitated him with big garland. Some others followed. Then he took guard of
honour from state force lined there. Maharaja accompanied him to the royal car outside. Both motored away to
Nilkuthi palace. Which was the sojourn
of the Dewas party, during marriage ceremony. Boy Scout and
general citizens gathered outside station; shouted simultaneous cheers to them.
Other baratis also, were equally welcomed and facilitated by ministers and high
officials of the state of CB. All
of grooms party then taken to Nilkuthi
palace. This palace was situated a km apart from CB palace. On the straight road starting from CB palace
Singh Darwaja, or the main gate.
After refreshment at twelve
–o-clock, on that day the “Tilak utsav” of the groom were performed. It was
observed in presence of many royal CB employees and rajgons. At evening the
dance troop of Maharaj Basu from Cal. Presented high class musical
performances, at Lansdowne hall. It was meant for the honoured guests from
Dewas.
18-02-1942:-Wednesday Today at 11am the ‘tilak utsav’ of Maharajkumari, was performed at the
durbar hall of CB palace. As it approached to end, already bashful shivering
princess Menaka’s auditory were flooded with high pitched music’s from
royal band. She tried to peep through her bridal veils. Only to found that
groom’s party had came. The procession from Nilkuthi accompanied by boy scouts, state police force and royal military
band. They brought with them the auspicious turmeric preparation, in shining
silver pitcher, and other propitious materials.
After tilak utsav the
aristocrat women present in the palace
guided the bride to the inner courtyard of the palace. Where the auspicious ceremony of smearing over that
turmeric preparation, on the body of the bride were done in great enthusiasm
and joy. Their merry making almost tore apart the boundaries. Suddenly an
advance Holi had set in there. On
completion of the ritual all the invited women took their lunch at the palace.
They were served with a very long menu of delicious dishes. All silver utensils
were used for them.
At 4.00 pm ,the smearing over the propitious
turmeric preparation on groom’s body. Was performed at Nilkuthi. Also the
“adhibas” ( the ritual at dawn, performed on the eve of marriage ) was
performed, with chandan, garlands, agurus(auspicious perfume). In the afternoon at 5.30pm famous drama
company from Cal. ‘Bholanath Opera” performed their show for general public.
Stage was set under a big royal canopy, at the police line field. Just a little
far dance troop of Maharaj Basu, repeated their show, at 8.00pm for specially
invited durbar guests from both sides. After this show , a talkie was screened
at 10.30pm, for general public. Thus the curtain dropped. for the celebrations
on the eve of that royal wedding.
19-02-1942:-Thursday The date
of marriage. Today since the onset of
dawn, one and all of state CB waited
eagerly ;to watch the grooms procession. It was scheduled for 6.00 pm.
So the opportunity of daylight was there. Peoples in great number gathered
along both side of the scheduled path of the procession. Much before to 6.00pm.
Baratis from Nilkuthi started towards CB palace on 6.15 pm. The procession led
by armed police, military, boy scouts, elephants, nahabat, bands .spear armed
sepoys etc. With this half a mile long
procession, the groom reached Madan Mohan temple for his blessings . Yeshwanta
Rao dressed in priceless attire, wearing
jewel studded gold crest, gold and pearl necklaces twined his neck and clad
with many other ornaments ,jewels and garlands took the blessings of the Kuldev
of Narayana dynasty “Madan Mohan”. He then left his car , and climbed to the Ambari litter set on “Pat Elephant” (
the main royal elephant), waiting there for him. Started his journey towards CB palace. To his would be wife
princess Menaka. Almost one and half km journey was marked with enthusiastic
din and bustle from the peoples gathered.
Numbers of beautiful gates decorated with leaves, shoots, flowers , decorated
pitchers, coloured clothes etc. At last
he arrived at palace at 6.30pm(I’ve doubt for the duration of journey).
He was welcomed at the
palace by blowing number of conch shells and uttering of festive propitious
sounds from women (Ulu dhwani). Now Maharaja and Yuvaraj of Dewas along with
their courtiers and relative, entered marriage canopy. The pandal where the
wedding arbour was set, was beautifully decorated and illuminated to the core.
All the durbaris honoured guests and other invitees present there paid
their respect marked with standing ovation to Maharaja and to the
yuvaraj(groom). They settled themselves in their silver thrones . Little after priests from both
sides stared their wedding rituals. When the ‘varan” concluded. Well dressed
princess Menaka accompanied by Maharaja J.D Narayana and Maharaj Kumar I.J.
Narayana entered the wedding arbor, and took her seat.
The actual wedding started. The blushing veiled princess decorated with various
gems and jewels, wearing countless gold ornaments. Was looking like a wonderful fairy princess.
Maharaja of CB performed the “kanya Daan”.Now
at the direction of priest princess Menaka put her “bashful offerings” (Lajjanjali),to
the auspicious pyre (homagni). Priests tied both with cloths (uttario), and
seven rounds were taken. During beholding the brides face(Mukha Chandrika),
present royal relatives and ministers showered their blessings on the duo. It
was performed by uttering age old sanskrit
hymns and throwing rice and
flower on them. The main marriage ritual thus concluded. And they became
husband and wife.
Time for wedding dinner
arrived. Maharaja directed his ministers and officials for arrangement of
diiner for grooms party and the invitees. The masterful orchestration by Maharani Indira devi from her mahal ,the
entire marriage celebration was concluded with great success. The host,
Maharaja of CB entertained all honoured guests, the durbaris and all other
invitees, the grooms party with number of delicious dishes. The dinner party
started at 10.00pm.After dinner there was a special performance of ‘Mujra” at
durbar hall. The general public were also entertained with ‘jatras’(open air theater)
at6.15pm again on7.00pm along with dance performance at 7.00pm. In a separate
stage. Jatras were performed again at police line field. And last but not the
least for that day, there was an exclusive talkie show screened for women
at 10.30pm.
20-02-1942;- Friday, At 5.30pm Jatra at police
line field. Open to all talkie show screened at 7.00pm Dinner for guests,
invited honoured dignitaries .and women
held at CB palace at 8.30pm.
21-02-1942:-Saturday, 3.00pm Feast for have not’s
at Madan Mohan Bari. 7.00pm open to all talkie show at police line field. 8.30pm Jatra show for women’s only. 8.3opm
dinner for royal relatives and other durbaris at CB palace. 10.00pm again a
talkie show for one and all.
22-02-1942:- Sunday, at 1.00pm lunch for workers of marriage at CB palace. 1.30pm Lunch for
“Panch Grami Brahmins” atpalace. 7,00pm
talkie show for women at the police line field.
8.00pm again a talkie show for women. 9.00pm dinner for palace servants.
10.00pm talkie show for invited
guests.
23-02-1942:-Monday, Following day marriage ceremonies (Basi Vivaha) were
performed with great magnificence. On this day the ritual of ‘second
leaving’(dwiragaman), took place at 7.00pm. Accompanying a long procession of
military, boy scout, bands, elephants, royal officials, relatives etc. The
royal couple took their place on the pat hasti(royal elephant). To Nilkuthi
palace. The whole town was beautifully illuminated on this occasion. Many
peoples gathered to behold that royal procession, alongside roads.
24-02-1942:-Tuesday, Lunch for all students of
the town CB.At 3.00 pm. Lastly the newly married yuvaraj and yuvarani left CB
at 9.00pm. And the eight day long marriage celebration was over.
Thanks:-
Nirupam Ghosh, Cooch
Behar, 17-01-2013 3.00am
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