Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 7: The historic Mangaluru Dasara and Navaratri Festival-2026, a symbol of the religious and cultural pride of the coastal region, will be held in a grand manner at Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Kshetra from October 11 to 22.
Padmaraj Poojary said all preparations have been completed for the festival, which will be held under the guidance of B Janardhana Poojary, former union finance minister and architect of the renovation of the temple.
The temple premises have been specially decorated this year. The beautifully designed grand Darbar Hall will house and facilitate the worship of Sri Mahaganapathi, Sri Adishakti, the Navadurgas and Sri Sharada Mata, the goddess of knowledge. Bhajans, dance, music, sports events and various folk art forms will add to the grandeur of the festival.
CM to inaugurate on October 12
Vedic rituals will begin on October 11, and the installation of Sri Sharada Mata and the Navadurgas will be held at noon. Chief minister D K Shivakumar will inaugurate the Mangaluru Dasara Mahotsava in a grand manner at 6.30 pm on October 12. Ministers from various departments of the Karnataka government will participate in the programme. The historic Mangaluru Dasara Shobhayatra will commence at 4 pm on October 21.
Chandika Homa every day
Chandika Homa will be held at the temple every day at 8.30 am from October 12 to 20. A special mass Chandika Homa has been organised on October 17, with the Poornahuthi scheduled for 11.30 am. The public will also be allowed to participate in the Chandika Homa.
‘Dasara Kalajhenkara’
Cultural programmes featuring national, international and local artistes will be held every day at the Santoshi Kala Mantapa under the title ‘Dasara Kalajhenkara’ from October 11 to 20, between 2.30 pm and 11.30 pm. On the same stage, women achievers from society will be honoured every day with the ‘Asamanya Stre’ award.
Poetry meet, dance and various competitions
A state-level Dasara poetry meet, along with story and poetry competitions, will be held on October 12. On October 13, the state-level devotional group dance competition ‘Rudratandavam’ Season 2 will be held from 7.30 pm.
‘Makkala Dasara’ for children will be held on October 15 and will be inaugurated at 9 am. Devotional song, drawing and patriotic song competitions will be organised. The ‘Muddu Sharade’ competition will be held on October 16, while Dasara Marathon Edition-4 and ‘Kinnipili’ Season 2 will be held on October 18.
‘Mahila Dasara’ will be organised for women on October 19, featuring competitions in Bharatanatyam, fireless cooking, rangoli, mehendi, group singing and flower arrangement. A group Garba-Dandiya dance by women will also be held at 8 pm.
Various cultural competitions will be conducted under the title ‘Dasara Rangantharanga’ on October 20.
Aksharabhyasa in the lap of Sharada Mata
An Aksharabhyasa programme for children will be held in the lap of Sharada Mata at 9 am on October 20. The organisers have appealed to the public to make use of the opportunity.
Palace-style Darbar Mantapa
The Darbar Mantapa, where Sri Mahaganapathi, Sri Adishakti, the Navadurgas and Sri Sharada Mata will be installed this year, has been designed attractively in a palace style.
Jayaram Somasundar, Harikrishna Bantwal, Leelaksha Karkera and others were present at the press conference.