Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Oct 1: 'Navaratri Mahostava' was inaugurated by police commissioner Chandra Sekhar at Kudroli Shree Gokarnanatheshwara Temple here on Saturday October 1.

On arriving at the temple in a procession, the idol of goddess Sharada Devi was installed, accompanied by various rituals. The idols of the Navadurgas in various incarnations, namely, Adishakti, Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kooshmadini, Skandamatha, Katyayini, Mahakali, Mahagowri and Siddidhatri had been installed earlier.

After the inauguration, the police commissioner speaking to media persons termed the occasion as ecstatic and said, "Celebrate Dasara as per the proper customs and traditions and understand the spirit of the festival which is victory of good over evil."

Touching on the subject of security arrangements he said,"We have made elaborate security arrangements. Around 800 police personnel and 350 home guards have been appointed for the festival. We also request all the organizers to include good volunteers to help us in conducting the festival in a proper manner. In this regard our inspector has conducted a meeting with the organizers. 200 extra men have been deployed from the armed police force."

Harikrishna Bantwal, H S Sairam, sdvocate Padmaraj R, Urmila Ramesh Kumar, B K Tharanat, Ravishankar Mijar, Malathi R Poojary, Shekar Poojary and Radhakrishna were present on the occasion among others.