Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Sep 18: The celebration of Vinayaka Chaturthi at Jeppinamogaru proved to be highly successful with the presentation of a variety of programmes, presence of leaders and celebrities from different fields, and hard work of office bearers of the committee.
The festivities began with the celebration of Gowri Habba on September 16, and culminated with the immersion of the Ganesha idol early morning on Friday September 18.
Cultural programmes organized on this occasion were inaugurated by Karnataka forest and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai. Divya Prabha Chilthadka, chairperson of Karnataka State Social Welfare Board, Dr Rajeshwari Devi, superintendent of the government Wenlock Hospital Mangaluru, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president, Roy Castelino, D Krishnaprasad K of Prasad Netralaya Mangaluru, were the chief guests. Vedavyasa Kamath, BJP general secretary, Yajneshwara Barke, honorary president of Barke Friends, Janardhan Arkula, entrepreneur, Chittaranjan Bolar, president of Atmashakti Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Kankanady corporator, Praveenchandra Alva, and owner of Kudla Chits, Kiran Rai, participated as guests.
Religious meeting was organized at 4 pm, which was presided over by trustee of Mariamma Mahishamardini Temple Bolar, A Seetharam. State health and family welfare minister, U T Khader, was the chief guest. MLA, J R Lobo, MLC, Ivan D'Souza, president of Karnataka State Commission for Protection and Child Rights, Kripa Amar Alva, Kannada and Tulu cine actress, Chirashree Anchan, lead Kannada actor, Mahesh, entrepreneur, Sreekar Prabhu, Pramod Kumar K, police inspector of the rural police station here, and former corporator, Bhaskar Rao, participated as guests.
Local children presented a programme of folk dances and classical dance thereafter. On Wednesday night, a play, 'Raddeta Yeredde' Tulu play directed by Kishore D Shetty was performed by Lakumi troupe.
At 6.30 am on Thursday September 17, the idol of Lord Ganesha was installed, followed by Prana Prathishte (invocation of divinity) by scholar, Brahmasri Vittaldas Tantry Derebail.
The meeting held thereafter was presided over by Sadashiva Ullal,president of Bhagawathi Cooperative Bank. Former district in-charge minister, Krishna J Palemar, lighted the lamp to signal initiation of programme. MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, city mayor, Jacinta Vijay Alfred, and chairman of Mangalore Urban Development Authority, Kodijal Ibrahim, participated as chief guests. Jayaram Shekha, vice president of Karnataka State Bus Owners Association, Jappingamogaru corporator, Surendra J, Unity Hospital administration head, Devaraj Jappingamogaru, and businessman, Valerian Mendonca, participated as guests.
As part of the programme, a 108 coconut Ganayaga was performed, and distribution of paddy stalks, was undertaken. A blind artiste, Harnikashi Yekkar, presented programme of devotional songs and Bhajans. Maha Puja was held at 12.30 pm.
A programme of devotional songs was organized at 2 pm. South block Congress vice president, Sadashiva Amin, and entrepreneur, Janardhan Suvarna, were present.
For all the programmes, president of Jeppinamogaru Ganeshotsava Samiti, Nagendra Kumar, welcomed. General secretary, Sudhakar J, proposed vote of thanks. Subhachandra Adapa, general secretary, and Laxmeesha Suvarna, presented the programmes.
On Thursday night, child artistes representing Sri Mookambika Yakshagana Kendra Mangaladevi presented Yakshagana episodes, 'Srikrishna Leele - Kamsavadhe'.
After Maha Puja was offered to the Lord at 6.30 pm on Thursday, the immersion procession started at 7 pm. Tableaux in the form of Huli Vesha, Chende, dancing horse, musical instruments etc accompanied the procession. The procession culminated with the immersion of the idol in River Netravati at Kadekar behind Lord Mallikarjuna temple.
This year, the Lord received the following offerings from devotees - A two kg silver waist belt from all devotees combined, silver ear ornament from Gaesh Acharya, silver armband gifted by Suneeta Kadekar, silver bracelet and Nandadeepa by Srinivas Gatty, and a mega Aarati by Shivanand Rao.