Mangalore: Myriad Lanterns Light up Night Sky at Goodu Deepa Festival
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, Nov 11: Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara wore a vibrant and festive look here on Saturday November 10 during the Goodu Deepa competition organized by Namma Kudla channel.
Among the colourful lanterns of all shapes and sizes were those depicting the famous Kambala, lanterns shaped with cigarette boxes, replicas of monuments etc.
The lanterns that attracted the most attention were two in the shapes of Golden Temple of Amritsar and Tirumala Temple of Kerala. Glittering among the myriad lanterns the two temple replicas stood tall and majestic.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Jayaram Baikampady who created the replica of Golden Temple, said that he worked on the lantern for 20 days. This was the 6th time he was participating in the Goodu Deepa festival, and every time in the past he has won first or second prizes. "Hopefully, this time too I will win a prize," he said.
"People cannot afford to go to Amritsar to see the Golden Temple. I have created its replica using foam sheets," said Jayaram, who is wedding decorator by profession.
The creator of Tirumala Temple replica Srinivas Kudupu said that he got the idea from the internet and took one-and-a-half months to complete it.
Speaking to Daijiworld Harikrishna Bantwal of Kudroli Temple Trust, he said that the Goodu Deepa festival was organized on the occasion of Diwali. "People from Byndoor to Karkala, and even Kasargod are participating in the competitions. The winners will be awarded medals and consolation prize winners will get cash. This is a platform for creative talents to display their skills," he said.
The competitions were held in three categories, namely, traditional, modern, and eco friendly lanterns.
The festival has been organized for the 10th year by Namma Kudla channel. As many as 550 participants this year. There was huge response from the public, with people flocking to the venue in hundreds.
Cultural programmes were also organized on the occasion.
Janardhan Poojary, Rohan Monteiro, Ivan D'Souza, Rajendra Kumar of SCDCC Bank visited were among those who visited.