When the Royal Family Sent a Vintage Car to Honor the Pandit…!!

Udaipur. Over the past five centuries, Udaipur has witnessed countless days and numerous stories reflecting the deep bond between the Mewar royal family—descendants of the legendary Maharana Pratap—and the people; yet, an incident during the recently concluded *Adhik Maas* (Purushottam Maas) has truly won everyone's heart.

During the final days of *Purushottam Maas*, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar—a popular member of the Mewar royal family—visited the renowned Jagdish Temple (adjacent to the City Palace) with his family to offer prayers on the occasion of his father-in-law's (the Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha) birthday. While there, he learned that Pandit Jitendra Mohan Bhatt—an octogenarian representative of the Bhatt-Mewara community—was reciting the *Shrimad Bhagwat Katha* from the *Vyas Peeth* (pulpit). He was informed that preparations were underway to escort the Pandit to his residence in a traditional procession of devotees upon the conclusion of the recital two days later; however, the temple's youth wing was struggling to arrange a suitable chariot or vehicle to transport him through the narrow lanes of *Kasaron ki Oal*.

Lakshyaraj Singh did not say anything at the time, but on the day of the farewell, everyone was pleasantly surprised when he sent one of his priceless vintage cars from the City Palace to escort Pandit Jitendra Mohan Bhatt to his residence following the conclusion of the *Katha* (scriptural discourse). This gracious gesture won the hearts of all the devout followers; the devotees seated Pandit Jitendra Mohan Bhatt—adorned in a traditional Mewari turban—and his successor, Junior Pandit Kaushal Bhatt, in the vintage car and accompanied them to their home, 'Girdhar Niwas,' in a ceremonial procession. Leading this religious procession were Pandit Ji’s daughter, Bhamini Pandya, and daughter-in-law, Dhriti Bhatt, carrying the *Shrimad Bhagwat* upon their heads, followed by a multitude of people chanting the name of the Lord.