Mangalore: Spectacular Kudroli Dasara Procession Begins Onward Journey
Daijiworld Media Network - MM / NR
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje and Sphoorti Ullal
Mangalore, Oct 21: The grand immersion process of Navadurgas worshipped at Kudroli Shri Gokarnanatheshwar temple has began its onward journey here, on Sunday October 21st evening. Huge masses of devotees as well as onlookers have reached the temple to participate in this magnificent religious procession.
The Kudroli temple has a 99 year old history. The concept of having a ‘Dasara Procession’ began here around 18 years ago. The Mangalore Dasara has gained its own significance over the years and has been successful in attracting huge crowds year after year, the strength of which is in-fact growing annually.
One of the tableaux will carry the idol of the deity, nine others will carry the idols of “Navadurgis” (nine divine forms of Goddess Durga — Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kalaratri, Mahagouri, and Siddidatri).
Already, the above idols of Navadurgas, Goddess Sharada and Lord Ganapati have been taken out from the hall and the procession has begun to wind its way through the city. Hundreds of tableaus, bands, beating of drums and gongs by well dressed Kerala troupe, colourful umbrellas from Trishur is heading this grand procession.
Sources here inform that the procession began at 6 pm. It has begun it onward journey passing through Mannagudda, Lady Hill Circle via Ballalbag, PVS, then to Navabharatha Circle winding it’s way through K S Rao Road through Hampankatta then to GHS Road, from there to Shri Venkataramana Temple through New Chitra Talkies and will finally culminate in a grand finale at the temple premises. The 14 hour long spectacular procession will conclude at 8 am on Monday, October 22, the organizers of the event stated. That is why it is rightly said by joyous sources that the Mangalore Dasara will be one proverbial continuous overnight entertainment programme.
Orchestras have been arranged at vintage spots in various parts of the city to welcome the grand procession. Moreover, the road corners and stretches have been decorated with arches, colourful festoons and lights to facilitate the grand event. The city indeed looks like a dream. The idols will be finally immersed at the temple pond, after the last ceremonial poojas and aarthis are performed by the temple priests to the idols.