Mangalore: Ganeshotsava culminates with spectacular procession
Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Additional pics by Hemanth Car Street
Mangalore, Sep 16: The immersion procession of Lord Ganesha organized by Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava Samithi under the aegis of Hindu Yuva Sena, was held in a grand manner here on Sunday September 15 night.
The festivities began on September 9 on Ganesh Chaturthi, when the idol of lord Ganesha was installed. Pujas and offerings were made to lord Ganesha during these seven days. Various religious and cultural events were also held every day.
The procession that started from Chatrapathi Shivaji Mantapa, Nehru Maidan culminated at Car Street via A B Shetty circle, Hampankatta, K S Rao Road, Navabharath Circle, Dongerkery and the idol of Lord Ganesha was immersed in Mahammaye Kere in Car Street.
Over one lac people from various parts of the district and other places took part in the procession. The idol of Ganesha was taken in the procession flanked by beautifully illuminated tableaux, along with other tableaux that portrayed scenes from epics.
Chende and Nasik Bands added more colour to the procession. The main attraction of the event was the eye-catching display of fire crackers prior to the start of the procession.
About Mangalore Ganeshotsava
Speaking to Daijiworld, Shahshikanth Nagvekar, president of Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava Samiti and partner of Kalpana Sweets, said that earlier in the year 1993, Balakrishna Shetty, the then leader of Hindu Yuva Sena along with other leaders, came up with the idea to hold religious works that would unite the people. With this motto, they came up with the idea to install lord Ganesha and establish a Ganeshotsava Samithi.
This plan was accepted by the members and Ganeshotsava was initiated at Central Maidan in Mangalore with just 15 days of preparation. This is the 21st year of Ganeshotsava celebration by the Samiti.
In its ninth year, a 1008 coconut Yaga was performed and the same was performed this year as well. The main purpose of starting this event was to get it members and people under one roof and unite them irrespective of caste, creed and religion, said Nagvekar.
The main reason for this Ganeshotsava to be so popular is because of its discipline; right from 1993 to this year, drinks and dance have been strictly prohibited during the procession. The association has lived upto the standards with regard to discipline.
In the initial years, people used to gather in quite small numbers, but as years passed, people irrespective of caste and religion started attended the programme and taking part in the devotional works. "Our motto is “Strive for Peace”, and the team is dedicated towards achieving it. Communal harmony has been given high importance by us. We also see to it that sentiments of any community are not affected due to any of our activity," he said.
“The silver covering in the hands of the idol of Ganesha has been prepared by a Muslim artist from Maharashtra. He was so grateful and filled with respect towards us and our approach that he has even donated big silver Diya to the lord. Every year it is been used before god,” he added.
Not just that, as per intelligence reports, it is learnt that Mangalore Ganeshotsava has ranked third place with respect to the peaceful, systematic and disciplined festival celebration in the state.
About Hindu Yuva Sena
Speaking to Daijiworld, Yashodar Chowta, president of Hindu Yuva Sena said, “Hindu Yuva Sena was started in the year 1989 by its young and dynamic leader Gunakar Shetty. Gunakar Shetty was a member of RSS and looking at the atrocities against the Hindu community from various quarters, he founded the outfit by the name Hindu Yuva Sena with a view to unite the youth and fight against such atrocities.”
The prime motto of the outfit is “Strive for Peace”. Just as its motto, the association has been true to it, by its Mangalore Ganeshotsava Celebration. Gunakar Shetty was later murdered by some miscreants on January 11, 1991 near Ganapthi High School, he said.
"Keeping his spirit and dreams alive, Bhaskar Chandra Shetty took over his position and continued to make the association stronger, always keeping peace, unity and harmony in mind," he added.
Hindu Yuva Sena has been carrying out various social activities irrespective of religion. In the year 1994, in memory of L Gunakar Shetty, an ambulance under the name Yuva Sena Trust was started. The outfit has been organizing various blood donation camps, health check-up camps and other people friendly activities, he informed.
"Today the Sena has spread out in various parts of not only Mangalore, but also in Udupi and Kasargod districts, with over 250 branches and more than 40,000 members. It has also been focusing on various religious activities like Sharadotsava in Mulky and Pangimogaru, Mosaru kudike in Vittla and different other programmes in different places.
"Mangalore Ganeshotsava is the main programme organized by the association and with the blessings of the Lord Ganesha, the association has been growing stronger and stronger," he added.