Colourful and royal Mysuru peta worn by Maharaja Krishna Raja IV
The Mysuru peta is an opulent formal turban, originally worn by the Kings of Mysore.[1] It consists of a long strip of cloth such as silk or cotton, that is wound around the head. It may be decorated with a border of gold or silver lace and with ornamental metal pendants.
Since India became independent in 1947, the traditional Mysuru peta has become a symbol of the region's cultural heritage, worn for formal occasions and awarded to distinguished people as a sign of honour,[2] often with a shawl.[3]
Jayachamrajendra Wodeyar in traditional Mysuru peta with Queen Elizabeth IIA concert inside Mysuru Palace, with musicians wearing Mysore peta
Wadiyar dynasty rulers wore richly jewelled turbans of silk and gold-threaded lace (jari) to match colourful royal dress.[3] Kings wore the traditional Mysuru peta during meetings of the royal court (Durbar), for public events such as during the Dassara religious festival and at parades for visiting dignitaries.[3]
The Mysuru peta was also worn by the King's senior officials, such as the Prime Minister (dewan).[3] Men attending the King's court were expected to wear the Mysuru peta with a long black coat and white trousers.
Mysuru peta turbans are worn as formal attire for events such as weddings, religious gatherings and award ceremonies, particularly in Mysuru and Kodagu.[4]
Students and faculty of universities in Karnataka are encouraged to wear a Mysuru peta for the convocation ceremony, rather than the mortarboard inherited from India's colonial past.[5][6][7]
