Pic: Manju Neereshwallya
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Oct 14: The 88th annual Sarvajanika Shree Sharada Mahotsava (Mangaluru Sharadotsava) is being celebrated as usual, in the premises of Acharya Mutt inside Lord Venkataramana Temple complex in Car Street here, since Tuesday October 12.

Devotion has been the single most predominant feature of the said festival every year. The idol of Goddess Sharada is brought in an elaborate procession to its destination on the fourth day of Navaratri. The idol is consecrated on the Lalita Panchami day, the fifth day of Navaratri.

The Goddess is presented in different Avatars (incarnations) every passing day, to depict the forms she donned to either annihilate the demons or grace her devotees. On Wednesday October 13, the Goddess was presented in the form of Mahalasa Narayani.

During the Navaratri, various pujas and other services are offered to the Goddess. On the last night, the idol is carried by the devotees in a palanquin through Dongerkeri area in the city before arriving at the temple. The idol reaches Mahamaya Temple tank around dawn the next day, where it is immersed.