The historic Udaipur City Palace reopened its gates on Thursday evening, bringing an end to a four-day closure that had caused major disruptions in the city. The closure was the result of a dispute over the coronation rituals within Udaipur’s former royal family.
At around 6:30 PM, Lakshyaraj Singh, a cousin of Nathdwara MLA and newly anointed Mewar family member Vishvaraj Singh, arrived at the palace to unlock the gates, signaling the resolution of the ongoing standoff. Speaking to the crowd that had gathered, Lakshyaraj Singh expressed gratitude, saying, “I want to thank the government, the people of Udaipur, and the administration. An atmosphere of harmony has been reestablished in the city.”
The prolonged closure of the palace gates had created significant inconveniences for the city. Tourists were turned away, and local shopkeepers faced a decline in business as a result of the reduced foot traffic. The reopening of the palace is expected to restore the flow of visitors and revitalize the local economy. Additionally, Udaipur Collector Arvind Poswal issued an order lifting Section 144, which had been imposed in the City Palace area to control the tensions.
The controversy stemmed from the coronation ceremony of Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, which took place on November 25 in Chittorgarh. Vishvaraj Singh was declared the 77th Diwan of Eklingji, following centuries-old royal traditions. As part of the post-coronation rituals, Vishvaraj Singh attempted to perform the Dhuni Darshan at the City Palace in Udaipur. However, upon arrival, he found the gates locked, leading to an escalation in tensions.
The situation quickly escalated into a confrontation, with stone pelting reported from both sides. This forced Vishvaraj Singh to leave and ask his supporters to disperse. By Wednesday, partial access to the City Palace was granted, allowing Vishvaraj Singh to offer prayers during the Dhuni Darshan.
The royal family dispute, which had dominated headlines, finally reached a resolution when the gates of the City Palace were fully reopened on Thursday evening, signaling the end of a tense and disruptive period for the residents and visitors of Udaipur.
Sources By Agencies