Opposing the Mysuru City Corporation’s (MCC) proposal to rename the road ‘KRS’ after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Mysore BJP MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said there is a need to preserve the historical significance of the road. PK Sanatorium, a tuberculosis hospital established by the former Maharaja of Mysuru.
Though known as KRS Road, Mr. Yaduveer said it was officially named Rajkumari Road during the royal days after two iconic princesses – Rajkumar Krishnajammanni Avru and Rajkumar Cheluvajammanni Avru. Both were daughters of Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar and Maharani Kempanjammanni of Vanivilas Sannidhan.
Mr. Yaduveer, who is also a scion of the erstwhile royal family of Mysuru, appreciated his contribution and said he had no objection to naming other roads after the Chief Minister. There are many roads including new ones. Let them identify a suitable road and name it after him. We will also support the effort,’ he said.
The MP also questioned the MCC’s move to name the road from Sri Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy Temple to Outer Ring Road as Siddaramaiah Arogya Marg in the absence of an elected body.
How can MCC officials take such a decision when there is no elected body? This is a grave violation,” Mr. Yaduveer said, adding that necessary steps would be taken to challenge the civic body’s decision in the coming days.
Meanwhile, on X (formerly Twitter), the MP said that the road not only honors Princess Krishnajammanni Avaru, whose memory lives on through the PK Sanatorium established in her name, but also Princess Cheluvajammanni Avaru, whose residence Cheluwamba Haveli now houses Central Food Technology Research. Institute (CFTRI) is also located on the road.
Princess Krishnajammanni Avaru’s life was marked by personal tragedy and significant contributions to the history of Mysore. Married to Colonel Jagirdar Deshraj Urs, she and her three daughters died of tuberculosis between 1904 and 1913. To honor her memory her family donated 100 acres of land to establish Rajkumari Krishnajammanni Sanatorium (PKTB Hospital). His brother Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraj Wadiyar built Karanji Haveli, which became his family residence until it was sold to the Government of India in 1964.
Furthermore, Mr. Wadiyar drew attention to the former royal family’s approach to healthcare. “In 1918, Maharani Kempanjammanni laid the foundation stone of a sanatorium on the outskirts of Mysore. Colonel Deshraj Urs contributed Rs 75,000 for its construction and facilities at that time. Opened in 1921, the hospital served as a dedicated tuberculosis treatment center. It later became the Jayadeva Heart Hospital. , has expanded to many facilities including trauma care centers and super specialty hospitals.
“Renaming it Siddaramaiah Arogya Marg will destroy the important link with the heritage of the city”, he said and called such a move “inappropriate”.
“While honoring modern leaders and their contributions, renaming Princess Road diminishes the historical narrative and legacy of Mysore. The road already holds deep cultural significance due to the history of PK Sanatorium and Cheluwamba Mansion. Deleting these names ignores the royal family’s monumental efforts in healthcare and community service. “The rich history of Princess Road should be preserved,” said Mr. Yaduveer.
published – Dec 26, 2024 07:58 pm IST