Mysore :

A portrait of Princess Leelavathi Devi, the grand-daughter of Chamaraja Wadiyar, the erstwhile ruler of Mysore province, was unveiled at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) which was earlier called Leela Vihar Mansion in Manasagangotri campus of University of Mysore here yesterday.

Leelavathi Devi was the only daughter of Princess Jayalakshammanni, the daughter of Chamaraja Wadiyar X. The Mansion and its adjacent area were provided to the University when it expanded its campus, adding new facilities.

Chaduranga Kanthraj Urs, the grandson of Princess Leelavathi Devi, and son of K.B. Ramachandra Raje Urs and Princess Gayathri Devi, was the chief guest. Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa unveiled the portrait.

During the regime of Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, around 500 acres of land, including the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion (which earlier belonged to Princess Jayalakshammanni), was donated to the university.

When Rashtrakavi Kuvempu was the Vice-Chancellor, the entire property was handed over to the university through Sardar K. Basavaraje Urs, husband of Princess Leelavathi Devi. The whole area was later named as Manasagangotri by Kuvempu, according to a press release issued by the University.

Sardar K. Basavaraje Urs and his family moved to Leela Vihar Mansion (present IDS) later on. The family later shifted their residence to a newly-built house at Jayalakshmipuram, which is also known as ‘Leela Vihar’, handing over the mansion to the university to facilitate its expansion plans, the release said.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News  / Tuesday  , September 23rd,  2014