Navaratri Concludes with Immersion of Goddess Sharade
Mangaluru: The Navaratri celebrations came to an end with the immersion of the last idols of Goddess Sharade, worshipped at the Shri Gokarnanatheshwar Temple Kudroli here on October 1.
The Procession began on September 30, at 4:45 pm. The Kudroli temple procession is the second largest in the state and this is the 22nd year of celebrations in the Temple.
The grand Shobha Yatra came to an end early morning at the temple premises after travelling through several parts of the city i.e Kudroli – Kambla – Mannagudda – Ladyhill – Lal Bagh – Ballal Bagh – PVS – Nav Bharat circle – K S Rao road – Hampankatta- Mohini Vilas – Car Street – Balaji – New Chitra – Alake Bridge – Kudroli.
Navneet Shetty explained the 9 forms of the Goddess during the time of immersion. Durga, the Mother Goddess of Hindus and a form of Devi and Shakti, is believed to have manifested in various forms. According to Hindu tradition, the Goddess Durga Manifested in 3 forms namely Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahakali and these 3 forms again manifested in 3 more forms and thus emerged the Navadurga’s. Chandraghanta, Kalratri, Katyayani, Kushmanda, Mahagauri, Shailaputri, Siddhidatri, Skandamata and Brahmancharini.
Devotees thronged the city streets to get a glimpse of the idols of goddess Sri Sharade, Navadurge and Lord Ganesha. The Ganesha idol reached the Temple premises first, it was immersed in the Kalyani (Temple) pond. Later all the nine Durga’s idols were immersed in the Kalyani’ (Temple) pond one after another.
The last idol of Goddess Sharade was carried in a procession around the Temple and then brought to the Kalyani Pond. The twin boats were decked up to carry the idol of Goddess Sharade. The twin boats carrying Goddess Sharade took 3 rounds in the Temple Pond. The religious heads offered Puja and removed all the gold ornaments which donated by the devotees before the immersion of the Goddess. The beautiful Sari of Goddess Sharade was also changed from blue to red before the immersion. The Idol was slowly dropped in the pond and thus came the end of Navaratri celebrations.
Devotees sprinkled water from the pond after the immersion of Goddess Sharade, which believed to be a blessing from the Goddess. Many women and children expressed their sadness during the immersion of Goddess Sharade.