Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje/Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Sep 22: Jitakamanandaji Maharaj, president of Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru, and Brahmakumari Vishweshwari Ji, head of Brahmakumaris, Mangaluru, in the presence of former Union Minister and temple development patron B Janardhan Poojary, inaugurated the 10-day Dasara celebrations at Kudroli Gokarnatheshwara Temple on Monday, September 22.
As part of the inauguration, the idols of Navadurga and Goddess Sharada were installed. The idol of Goddess Sharada was brought in a simple procession within the temple premises, while a traditional tiger dance performance marked the occasion.
Congress leader R Padmaraj, MLA Vedavyas Kamath, MP Captain Brijesh Chowta and others were present.
Over the course of nine days, several cultural competitions and devotional programmes will be held, including dance, drawing, and Rudra Tandava contests, along with other events. This year’s festival highlights the confluence of Vedic traditions, religious devotion, cultural splendour, music, art, literature, and sportsmanship, all centred around the worship of Navadurges.
The cultural programmes on September 22 will be inaugurated by NMPT Chairman Dr Venkataraman Akkachuraju and Union Bank of India, Mangaluru Zone Head, Rajendra Kumar. On this occasion, institutions like Sanidhya Special School, White Doves Mangaluru, and M Friends Charitable Trust will be honoured for their social service. Bharatanatyam artistes Remona and Deeksha Suvarna, who entered the Golden Book of World Records, will also be felicitated.
On September 25 at 6 pm, the Dasara Mahotsava will be officially inaugurated under the chairmanship of B Janardhan Poojary in the presence of Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader, MP and AICC leader K C Venugopal, district-in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and other dignitaries. A mass Chandika Homa will be held on September 28 at 9 am.
Cultural highlights
This year’s cultural programmes will feature around 40 troupes and over 1,500 artistes, selected by a committee. The events will showcase Bharatnatyam, folk dances, devotional dance dramas, Yakshagana, musical dramas, Talamaddale, Harikatha, jugalbandis, Saptaveena performances, magic shows, and a blend of Navarasas.
Literary events
On September 23, a multilingual poets’ meet will be held from 4 pm to 6 pm in collaboration with Rangasangathi Cultural Foundation, presided over by Kannada Development Authority chairman Dr Purushothama Bilimale. Poets reciting in various languages include B Murari Tantri (Sanskrit), Manoj Kumar (Kannada), Vinod Moodugudde (Arebhashe), Hamza Malar (Beary), Jonsi Pinto (Konkani), Venkatesh Nayak (Konkani), Dr Suresh Negalguli (Havyaka), Dr Annayya Kulal (Kundagannada), Babu Koraga Pangala (Koraga language), Kavita Addur (Shivalli Tulu), and Geeta Lakshmish Shetty (Tulu).
A separate Tulu poets’ meet will be held under the chairmanship of former Hampi University vice-chancellor Dr K Chinnappa Gowda. Selected entries from a postal poetry competition will also be released as a compilation during the event.
Competitions
Muddu Sharade & Navadurges Contest: For children, on September 24 from 9 am to evening.
Dasara Classic Bodybuilding Contest: A state-level competition for youth on September 26.
Dasara Marathon: The third annual marathon will be held on September 28 from 4 am, featuring 21K, 10K, 5K, and 2K sari runs, with a total prize of Rs 1 lac.
Children’s Dasara: On September 28, competitions in kinnipili, painting, and music will be held with attractive prizes. The programme will begin at 9:30 am at the temple entrance, inaugurated by India’s child prodigy Agnivu, followed by a colourful children’s procession.
Extraordinary Woman Award
From September 22 to October 2, one outstanding woman achiever will be honoured daily at 7:30 pm with the Extraordinary Woman Award – 2025. Recipients include Vanaja Poojary (social service – Mokshadham), Venkamma Kudambettu (gynaecologist), Shalet (social worker – animal care), Sushila Panar (pardhan), Yogakshi Ganesh (Yakshagana troupe leader), Janaki Kodyadka (folk medicine practitioner), Tabassum (social worker – care for HIV-affected orphans), B M Rohini (Kannada & Tulu literature), and Rohini Jagram (Tulu theatre & cinema).
Religious observances
Daily religious rituals and bhajans will be held throughout Navaratri. Special homas include Durga Homa on September 23, Panchadurga Homa on September 24, Aryadurga Homa on September 25, Ambikadurga Homa on September 26, Bhagavati Durga Homa on September 27, Chandika Homa on September 28, Mahishamardini Durga Homa on September 29, Saraswati Homa on October 1, and Vagishwari Durga Homa on October 2. The festival will conclude on October 3 with rituals including Sri Sharada visarjane, avabhrutha snana, and Guru Puja at 8 pm.
Grand procession on October 2
The highlight will be a grand procession on October 2, led by B Janardhan Poojary. Starting at 4 pm from the temple, the Navadurgas, Ganapati, and Sharada Mata idols will pass through Kambla Road, Mannagudde, Brahmashree Narayana Guru Circle, Lalbagh, Ballalbagh, PVS Circle, Navbharath Circle, KS Rao Road, Hampankatta, VV College Circle, Ganapati High School Road, Sri Venkataramana Temple, Car Street, and Chitra Talkies before returning to the temple.