Mangaluru Dasara Permitted Strictly Adhering to Covid-19 Guidelines by DC
Mangaluru : Dakshina Kannada Deputy commissioner Dr K V Rajendra during a meeting with the concerned persons of Mangaluru Dasara had issued a press release giving permission to celebrate the Mangaluru Dasara festival, provided the organizers strictly adhere to Covid-19 guidelines. The decision was taken in the fifth meeting of the third district religious council, as per Deputy Commissioner.
As per DC’s statement, the organizers can install the traditional Sharada idols inside the Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple, but strictly open-air cultural programmes are strictly prohibited. Tiger dance and other acts in costumes will be permitted inside the Temple, following social distancing. Temple authorities should see that the seating arrangement (chairs) maintain the social distance. Telecasting of the programme on TV channels will be permitted. Mega size shamiyana or pandals will not be permitted. Taking outdoor processions or organizing fairs of any kind are strictly not permitted. Fireworks and bursting of Crackers are prohibited.
Padmaraj, the Kudroli Temple Committee treasurer speaking to Team Mangalorean said, ” This year,the celebration of the famed Mangaluru Dasara, of which Sri Gokarnanatha Kshethra is the epicentre, which attracts thousands of people from various parts of the country, will be low-key affair from the previous years, due to Coronavirus pandemic. Taking cue from State Government’s decision to go in for a no-frills Dasara in Mysuru, the Temple management Committee of Kudroli Temple, under the instruction from its chief patron and former Union minister senior congress leader Janardhana Poojary has decided to hold the Mangaluru Dasara from 17 October 2020 by adhering to government rules/directions on the pandemic”.
“The committee has decided not to have the PROCESSION of Navadurga idols that formed the centre-piece of Mangaluru Dasara . Even the dazzling LIGHTING arrangements made all along the nearly 5 km route of the procession will not be done this year. However, the lighting arrangements will be centred on the temple and up to the main road from the temple entrance, which is a short distance. About ten artists have already started the work on making the idols of Navadurga, Goddess Sharada and Lord Ganesha, and are in the finishing stages. All idols will be installed on the first day of the Dasara festivities and religious rituals held traditionally over the years during the nine days will be observed in full” added Padmaraj.
He further said, “Social distancing and wearing face masks forms will be strictly maintained inside the halls where the idols are kept. The immersion of the idols this year will be an in-house affair, with the idols taken in a procession around the sprawling temple premises and immersed in the Kalyani of the temple abutting the temple. Hitherto, the idols were immersed in the early hours on the day after the procession that usually starts around 5 pm on Vijayadashami day. In doing so, a time tested tradition of holding the event will be met even amidst these challenging times. Devotees and visitors are requested to cooperate with us and strictly follow the Covid-19 guidelines”.
In the meantime, Janardhana Poojari has urged the devotees to adhere to every single instruction that the temple committee gives as per government directions, and help in successfully conducting the event. He further said, “We will pray to the Gods to help mankind overcome the effects of this pandemic. It was the blessings of the presiding deity-Lord Gokarnanatha and the Navadurgies, that me and my family members recently recovered from Coronavirus. “Let us all have a safe and colorful Mangaluru Dasara by following the Coronavirus guidelines” said Poojary.
