Tehri gets a new Maharaja

After 60 long years, the people of Garhwal will once again witness the 8220;coronation8221; of a Maharaja.

Manujendra Shah, son of of the last Maharaja of the erstwhile Tehri state, Manvendra Shah, will be anointed in a religious ceremony at the Narendranagar palace on Monday. Badri Prasad Namboodri, head priest of the famous Badrinath temple, will perform the 8216;Raj Tilak8217;.

Following Manvendra8217;s death in January, the appointment of a new Maharaja became necessary as tradition dictates that the announcement of the annual opening of the 8216;kapats8217; or doors of the Badrinath shrine can only be made by the Maharaja of Tehri.