Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Oct 24: The nine-day Mangaluru Dasara or Navaratri celebrations culminated with a grand procession amidst thousands of devotees here on Friday, October 23.
The procession began from Kudroli Shree Gokarnanatheshwara Temple in the evening and will end early morning on Saturday October 24.
Idols of Navadurga, goddess Sharadha Devi and lord Ganapathi were carried in the procession with much fervour and enthusiasm by the massive crowds.
The procession started with rituals held in the temple premises in the presence of former union minister B Janardhan Poojary along with other office-bearers and members of the administration committee of the Temple. Janardhana Poojary performed prayers in front of the 'Sharadadevi' idol and offered 'Prasadam' to B Ramanatha Rai, U T Khader, Trustee H S Sairam, B T Salian, Dr Anusuya, N M Suvarna, Sathish Bhat and to many others.
Mangaluru Dasara is a festival where people of all communities join in to witness the celebrations.
A number of tableaux, large decorative umbrellas and music bands added colour to the procession.
The traditional chende sets, bhajans and Dollu Kunita flanked the procession.
For the past nine days, the roads in the city have been decorated with colourful lights and arches.
The procession began at the temple complex and is scheduled to end at same venue with the immersion of the idols at the Pushkarini pond inside the temple complex on Saturday morning. The procession passed through the main roads of the city including Ladyhill, Lalbagh, K S Rao road, Hampanakatta, Car Street and Alake.
Adequate security was in place to prevent any unpleasant incident.
The entire programme was telecast live on Aakashvani.