Page 78 - Demo

This would have been the Nicopolis Lodge, which in fact had been initiated by his grandfather Maharaja Vijayarama Gajapathi IV who was the founding master. With a donation from his daughter, Kumarika Alak Rajeswari Devi, the lodge building began to be constructed in 1937. It still stands, imposing with its garden and weathered grey stone amidst verdant greenery, right at the geographic eye of the city. The day and date for his coronation was fixed by the th court pandits as the 24 of August 1945. The throne which had been left vacant 8 years ago, would no longer be so. There was a celebratory air across the town of Vizianagaram and crowds thronged the grounds of the Fort eager to catch a glimpse their new Maharaja.The ceremony was simple yet redolent of the rich traditions at the Fort. It was held at the Raj Mahal Darbar. The Prince's head was anointed with the water from the seven rivers 68