Navarathri celebrations begin

Sonia will formally inaugurate the nine-day event on Thursday

The Navarathri celebrations at Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple were set in motion on Tuesday, with the installation of Sharada Devi idol.

Prior to the installation, the idol was taken out in a procession in the temple premises.
Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Pratap Reddy, along with his family installed the idol, at a function held at Koragappa Memorial Hall.

Entrepreneur Ramesh Kumar and family installed the Ganesha idol.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will formally inaugurate the Mangalore Dasara and the centenary celebrations of the temple, on Thursday at the temple premises.

Security

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place, as a part of Sonia Gandhi’s visit.Temple Organising Committee member Harikrishna Bantwal said that Sonia Gandhi will spend nearly one hour in the temple.

Restrictions

The entry to the temple  will be restricted and only pass holders will be allowed inside the premises during the visit of Sonia Gandhi.

Devotees should enter into the temple before 4 pm on Thursday and shall not leave the place till Sonia Gandhi leaves the venue. No electronic equipment will be allowed inside the temple complex. Carry bags, water bottles and mobile phones are prohibited.

Harikrishna Bantwal has appealed the devotees to cooperate with the temple authorities.

Mangaladevi

Navarathri mahotsava in Mangaladevi temple was inaugurated. Various cultural programmes were held as a part of the celebrations at the temple premises. The women wing of the Hindu Yuvasene, Mangaladevi sang devotional songs. There was a variety of dance programmes by Ashok Polali and team in the evening.