Mangaluru Dasara celebrations begins with idol installation at Kudroli temple

MANGALURU: The grand Dasara celebrations at Shri Gokarnanatha temple were inaugurated by former minister B Janardhana Poojary on Monday. Padma Shri awardees Harekala Hajabba and Mahalinga Naik took part as special guests.

Devotees welcomed goddess Sharade’s idol in Sri Gokarnanatha temple in Mangaluru.

The idols of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Sharada and Navadurga were installed in the temple auditorium and will be worshipped for nine days. The Navadurga installation is attracting devotees from all over the country.

“The festival is a blessing from God. I cannot say whether I will be alive next year, but the celebration will continue forever. No one can stop Mangaluru Dasara, not even me. So, this is a blessing from God, “said former minister Janardhana Poojary.

Former minister Janardhana Poojary speaks to the media after Mangaluru Dasara’s inauguration.

“Dasara was celebrated for the past two years, but due to Covid-19 restrictions, there was no procession. This time, a grand Dasara procession will be held. The Mangaluru Dasara was inaugurated by our former minister Janardhan Poojary,” said Padmaraj R, treasurer of Kudroli Shri Gokarnanatha Temple.

Padmaraj R, treasury of Shri Gokarnanatha Temple, Mangaluru.

The idols will be immersed in a pushkarni on the tenth day of Dasara after being taken in a 7-km procession through the main roads in the city.