M'lore Dasara ends on a colourful note

A colourful procession, taken out on the last day of Navaratri— Vijayadashami— marked the end of famous Mangalore Dasara. Thousands of devotees thronged the Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple to witness the grand finale, on Monday. 

People carrying decorative umbrellas, stood on the either sides of the road while colourful trucks carrying the idols of ‘Navadurgas’, Mahaganapathy, Adi Shakthi and Sharada were taken out in a procession.

The folk dancers, who had come to partake in the procession from different parts of the state, made the celebrations more vibrant.

The female chende players, were the centre of attraction. The women dressed in white, danced to the tunes of the ‘chende’ while playing the cymbals. Little boys, dressed in red performed the 'Shivakunitha' carrying swords. 

‘Pooja Kunitha,’ ‘Dollu Kunitha,’ ‘Veeragase,’ ‘Karaga,’ ‘Gombevesha,’ Yakshagana were some of the art forms performed at the procession.

The tiger dancers, stole the show with their somersaults and stunts.

The idol procession started at around 4 pm. 

The idol of Mahaganapathy was taken out first, followed by the tableau carrying the portrait of Bramhashree Narayana Guru. 

This was followed by 'Adi Shakthi', riding on lions and the Navadurgas - ‘Shailaputri’, ‘Brahmacharini’, ‘Chandraghanta’, ‘Khushmandini’, ‘Skandamatha’, ‘Kathyayini’, ‘Mahakali’, ‘Mahagauri’ and ‘Siddhidatre’.

The last idol to be taken out was the 'Sharada Matha’. The procession went around the main streets of the city such as Lalbagh, M G Road, PVS, Hampankatta. More than 20 lakh miniature lights glittered, making the celebrations spectacular.

There were more than 50 tableaus highlighting mythological characters at the procession. 

People stood on either side of streets, clicking photographs and cheering as the procession passed-by. The procession finally returned to the Kudroli temple for the idol immersion at ‘Pushkarini’ pond in the temple, in the wee hours of Tuesday. 

Elaborate arrangements were made by the Mangalore City Corporation, district administration and the police prior to the commencement of the procession.Movement of all vehicles were banned on major roads, through which the procession passed. The cops were on continuous rounds, to ensure that no untoward incidents occurred. 

At Mangaladevi

The Ratotsava as a part of the Navaratri celebrations of famous Mangaladevi temple too was celebrated with all grandeur. 

The idol of Goddess Mangaladevi was taken out on a chariot in a procession near the temple and later ‘bali puje' was performed.