Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/Justin D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Sep 8: The feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, popularly known as Monthi Fest, was celebrated with profound religious devotion and traditional fervour across churches in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on Tuesday, September 8.
The feast holds a special place in the religious and cultural life of the Konkani Catholic community along the coastal belt. Celebrated as a harvest festival, it brings together faith, family unity, agriculture, and community traditions.
Rosario Cathedral, Mangaluru
Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi
Across the two districts, the feast day culminated a traditional nine-day novena. Festivities commenced in the morning at parish churches with the blessing of the season’s first harvest, the newly grown paddy corn (Novem). In a vibrant display of devotion, children gathered in their respective parishes to offer colourful floral tributes to Infant Mary, accompanied by the singing of traditional Konkani hymns. This cherished ritual was followed by solemn Eucharistic celebrations led by parish priests.
Following the liturgical services, blessed corn and sugarcane were distributed among the gathered parishioners.
The celebrations then extended from the churches to homes, where families gathered for the traditional 'Novem Jevan'—a festive vegetarian meal prepared using locally grown vegetables and incorporating the newly blessed corn. This enduring tradition brought relatives back to their ancestral homes, renewing family ties and keeping the rich cultural heritage of the coastal Catholic community vibrant for the next generation.
Monthi Fest celebrations across the world
Mangaluru
- Stree Sangatan City Varado
- Corpus Christi Church, Moodbidri
- Our Lady of Miracles Church, Milagres
- St Sebastian Church, Thokkotu Permannur
- St Bridget’s Church of Ireland, Sullia
- St Raphael Church, Badyar
- St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia
- Monthi Fest: God the Holy Spirit Church, Bajal
- St Patrick Church, Siddakatte
- St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai
- St Martin de Porres Church, Belvai
- Most Holy Redeemer Church, Derebail
- Our Lady The Queen of the Universe Church, Ranipura
- St John the Baptist Church, Kokkada
- Sacred Heart Church, Thodambila
- Guardian Angel Church, Angelore
- Immaculate Conception Church, Kinnigoli
- Sacred Heart Church, Madanthyar
- Our Lady of Vailankanni Church, Farla
- Mother of God Church, Mogarnad
- St Anthony's Ashram, Jeppu
- Holy Spirit Church, Sampige
- Our Lady of Mercy Church, Ullal - Panir
- Sacred Heart Church, Surathkal
- St Sebastian Church, Bendur
- Sacred Heart Of Jesus Church, Shamboor
- Christ the King Church, Kayyar
- Holy Cross Church, Cordel Kulshekar
- Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI), Kankanady
- AIMIT Centre, St Aloysius (Deemed to be University)
- Holy Family Church, Omzoor
- Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakate
- St Rita Church, Cascia
- Immaculate Conception Church, Urwa
- Our Lady of Mercy Church, Fajir
Udupi
- St John the Evangelist Church, Pangla (Shankerpura)
- St Peter's Church, Barkur
- Stella Maris Church, Kalmady
- St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar
- St Anthony Church, Koteshwara
- St Anthony Church, Sasthan
- Christ Church, Manipal
- Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte
- St Joseph's Church, Kota
- St Paul 's Chapel, Neelavara, Brahmavar
- St Francis Xavier Church, Mudarangadi
- Christ The King Church, Trasi
- Holy Cross Church, Byndoor
- Holy Family Church, Brahmavar
- St Joseph Church,Belman
- St Lawrence Minor Basilica Attur, Karkala
- St Mary's Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar
- Holy Rosary Church, Kundapur
- St Ann's Church, Thottam
Shivamogga
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