Grand Dasara, Navarathri celebrations begin in DK, Udupi districts

Mangalore city has been decked with over 20 lakh lights

Festive spirit was in the air, at Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara temple on Saturday, with the installation of Sharada, Navadurgas, Ganapathy and Adhi Sahkthi idols, marking the beginning of Dasara celebrations.

The mantap, that housed the idols was embedded with tiny lights which were glittering like diamonds.

The main idol of Sharada was brought to the mantap in a grand procession. Music echoed in the temple. Tiger dancers, danced their best in honour of the goddesses. At around 11.40 am the idol was installed by businessman Ramesh Kumar and his wife Urmila Ramesh Kumar.

Later, the idol of Lord Ganapathy was installed.The idols of Navadurgas were the main attraction, with  each idol tastefully decorated than the other. Devotees offered prayers to goddesses Shailputri (Parvathi), Brahmachaarini (who gives the message of pure love to the world), Chandraghantha (who establishes Justice and wears crescent moon on her head), Kushmaandini (who provides the basic necessities to the world), Skandaputhri (who gives the gift of differentiation of right from wrong to the world), Kaatyayini (who persistently battles against the evil and deceitful entities), Kaalaratri (who killed Raktabeeja, a demon), Maha Gauri (who liberate the world of evil forces) and Sidhidaathri (who is a treasure house of Mystic Powers) to bless Mangalore for nine days.

Speaking on the occasion, Harikrsihana Bantwal from the Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara temple committee said that Mangalore Dasara is becoming very popular, and has won the hearts of many.

The city has been decked with over 20 lakh lights, as a part of the Dasara celebrations. A grand procession will be held on October 14, during the immersion of the idols, he said.

Barriers such as caste, religion, superstitions are broken and values such as unity, peace, development of the backward communities are upheld at the Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara temple. On Sunday, a revolution will take place. Maybe for the very first time in the world, two widows will enter the sanctum sanctorum and offer pooja to deities Lord Gokarnataheshwara and Goddess Annapoorneshwari.

After the pooja of the main deity, the women will perform the installation of the idol of Lord Dattatreya under the ‘Ashwatha’ tree in the temple premises. Kudroli temple President H S Sairam, Vice President K Raghavendra Kuloor, Secretary B Madhav Suvarna among others were present.

Other temples

Navarathri is also celebrated with traditional fervour at Kateel Sri Durgaprameshwari temple, Mangaladevi temple, Polali temple and Bappanadu temple in Mulki.

Variety of cultural programmes were held in the evening at Mangaladevi temple.  ‘Lalitha Panchami’ will be observed on October 9, ‘Mahanavami,’ ‘Chandika Homa ,’ ‘Dodda Rangapooje’ and ‘Sanna Rathothsava ‘will be on October 13. On the day of Vijayadashami on October 14, there will be thene habba in the morning. The car festival will be held on the day of Vijayadashami at 7.30 pm at Mangaladevi temple.
In Udupi

Navarathri is being celebrated with traditional fervour at Kadiyali Mahisha Mardhini temple, Ambalapady Mahakali and Kollur Sri Mukambika Temple among other temples in Udupi district. A large number of devotees visited the temple and offered special poojas on the occasion. The temple was decked with flowers on the occasion.