Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NR)

Udupi, Nov 10: The Kali pooja celebrations got off to an auspicious start at the Sri Venugopal temple here on Friday November 9 organized by the Kali Puja Committee – 2007, Manipal comprising the faculty and students of the Manipal University.

The Goddess Kali’s puja is a traditional community puja that is celebrated in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Assam. It is organized every year with the money collected from donations made by students, faculties and business houses in Manipal and Udupi.

The clay idol of the Goddess has been prepared by artisans coming from Kolkatta at Achar Phalke Hall, Lalbhag at Mangalore. The highlight of this year’s idol is that the idol is the tallest as compared to the previous years and stands at a height of 7.5 feet with all her ornaments.

The patron of the committee Vasanthi Pai inaugurated the celebrations at 8 pm. On the occasion were present, the president of the advisory committee Dr Pushpa Kini, student committee secretary Ambardeep Das along-with the Kali Puja Committee president prof Shovan Saha.

The Kali puja which has been regularly organized for the past five years and now in its sixth year, commenced with a great deal of religious fervour and joy on part of devotees who thronged the venue. The representation of Kali worshiped is that of ‘Shwashan Kali’ considered the most ferocious representation of the goddess.

For the devotees basically from north India comprising students especially Bengalis and Biharis this puja in the heart of Manipal, symbolizes ushering of goodness, virtue, divinity and sanctity to the place they have made their abode to live or study in.

Moreover, it also turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to unify the people of Manipal who come from diverse cultural backgrounds and thereby generated a sense of belonging to some of their old traditions.

Prasadam will be distributed today November 10 at 8 am and the idol of Kali would be immersed in Swarna River on November 11.