A historic moment unfolds in the storied royal family of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, as the palace echoes with wedding bells. Maharaja Kamalchandra Bhanjdeo of Bastar is set to wed Princess Bhuvaneshwari Kumari from the Nagod royal family in Madhya Pradesh on February 20. This grand royal wedding has drawn more than 100 royal families and dignitaries from across India. It's been five generations since a reigning king of Bastar married within the royal palace.
The last wedding in the Bastar royal family took place in 1918 with Maharaja Rudrapratap Dev. No subsequent ruler's nuptials have been celebrated at the Bastar palace until now. After 135 years, a royal procession has arisen, marking a wedding at the palace for the first time in 107 years.
Source: aajtak
Previous marriages of the royal family, such as that of Maharaja Praveerchandra Bhanjdeo in Delhi (1961) and Vijay Chandra Bhanjdeo in Gujarat (1954), took place away from Bastar. Today, after five generations, a royal wedding returns to the palace, with King Kamalchandra leading a grand procession through the town atop an elephant, accompanied by camels and horses.
Source: aajtak
The procession sees thousands of Bastar residents as witnesses, beginning from the palace and concluding at the airport this afternoon. The last known procession that left from the palace premises was in 1890 for Maharaja Rudrapratap Dev's wedding, with another in 1923 when Rani Prafulla Kumari Devi married, absent the fanfare of a procession.
Source: aajtak
Today, on February 20, Maharaja Kamalchandra Bhanjdeo's procession departs from the palace, heading to the airport in Jagdalpur. Chartered planes have been reserved, ready to fly the wedding party to Nagod, Madhya Pradesh.
Source: aajtak
A Regal Setup at the Palace
Constructed in 1890, the Bastar Palace has been lavishly adorned for this historic occasion, with a myriad of colorful lights and traditional royal decorations. Experts in catering and tenting from Rajasthan have been called upon for their expertise, with exotic flowers being imported from various places worldwide.
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For five days, the wedding festivities will showcase glimpses of cultural programs. Each evening promises a showcase of local art and cultural heritage, a spectacular display of Bastar's rich traditions.
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First-Ever Use of Devi Ma Danteshwari's Sacred Sceptre in a Wedding
For the first time, the sacred sceptre and umbrella of the Bastar royal family's presiding deity, Ma Danteshwari, have been incorporated into a wedding. These sacred objects, typically seen only during the Dussehra and Fagun Madai festivals, have been transported to Jagdalpur with great solemnity.
Source: aajtak
Family members offered traditional prayers, and the sacred items have been respectfully sent back to Dantewada. Chief priest Parmeshwar Nath Jiya mentioned that this is the first time these items have ventured out of the temple for a wedding. The ceremony included ceremonial military honors and a dignified escort back to Dantewada.
Source: aajtak
Gathering of Regal Guests from Across the Nation
The splendid wedding at Nagod is set to witness the presence of esteemed members from royal families across the country. Dignitaries include Jaipur's Deputy CM Diya Kumari, Gwalior's Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Gaekwad family from Vadodara, members of the Scindia family from Madhya Pradesh, descendants of Sarguja's royals like former Deputy CM T.S. Singh Deo, and members of Odisha's Patnagarh and Mayurbhanj royals.
Source: aajtak
Top political figures from Chhattisgarh, including Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, Deputy CM Vijay Sharma, and President Kiran Dev, will also be in attendance. Many from royal families nationwide, along with TV personalities, have already reached Jagdalpur.
Source: aajtak
The Royal Family's Historic Legacy
Bastar state was established in the 13th century by Annama Dev, brother of Prataparudra II of the Kakatiya dynasty. By the early 19th century, Bastar became part of the Central Provinces and Berar under British Raj. It merged into Madhya Pradesh in 1956 and became part of Chhattisgarh in 2000.
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The last ruler of the Bastar princely state was Maharaja Praveerchandra Bhanjdeo. The current Maharaja Kamalchandra Bhanjdeo is the son of Bharat Chandra Bhanjdeo, the son of Praveerchandra. Kamalchandra Bhanjdeo's in-laws, the Nagod royalty, were established by King Veerraj Juddev, with Nagod becoming the capital in place of Uchhara. In 1950, Nagod was integrated into India and was ruled by the Parihar Rajputs.
Source: aajtak
This Historic Wedding Marks a New Era
This grand event in Bastar, coming after 107 years, will highlight the region's culture, heritage, and storied history. Maharaja Kamalchandra Bhanjdeo emphasized that this wedding shifts Bastar's narrative beyond naxalism, showcasing its rich cultural fabric and historic grandeur. As dignitaries from across the country gather, perceptions are set to change, presenting Bastar's regal traditions and legacy to the world.
Source: aajtak
Rajguru Naveen Thakur noted that the first royal marriage in the palace was in 1908, with King Rudrapratap Dev marrying Queen Kushumlata. After 107 years, Kamalchandra Bhanjdeo's wedding brings royalty back to Bastar as he marries Princess Bhuvaneshwari Kumari, daughter of King Shivendra Pratap Singh of Nagod, Madhya Pradesh, taking place today on February 20. Royals from all over the country have gathered as honorary guests for this occasion.
