Spectacular Shobhayatra of Goddess Sharada Marks End of Mangaluru Dasara

Spectacular Shobhayatra of Goddess Sharada Marks End of Mangaluru Dasara

Mangaluru: The Navaratri celebrations came to an end as the procession of the Navadurges and Lord Ganesha, worshipped at the Shri Gokarnanatheshwar Temple Kudroli, began here on October 8.

The procession began at 5:30 pm. The Kudroli temple’s procession has been dubbed as the second-best in the state and has truly stood up to its reputation from many years. It was a grand affair this year too. Due to health reasons, Janardhan Poojary was not able to attend the programme at Kudroli.

The Shobhayatra began soon after the Puja of Lord Ganesha was performed. The idol of Lord Ganesha was carried in the procession followed by the Navadurges. The grand Shobha Yatra will come to an end early morning at around 6:00 am on 9th October at the temple premises after passing through several parts of the city, Kudroli – Kambla – Mannagudda – Ladyhill – Lal Bagh – Ballal Bagh – PVS – Navabharat circle – K S Rao Road – Hampankatta – Mohini Vilas – Car Street – Balaji – New Chitra – Alake Bridge and back to Kudroli.

According to the Hindu tradition, Goddess Durga manifested in 3 forms, namely Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahakali. These 3 forms, in turn, manifested into 3 more forms and thus emerged the Navadurga’s Chandraghanta, Kalratri, Katyayani, Kushmanda, Mahagauri, Shailaputri, Siddhidatri, Skandamata and Brahmancharini.  This year, the organizers made some changes in the procession and the idols of Ganapathi and the Navadurgas were carried in the procession first followed by Goddess Sharada and then the selected tableaux to avoid delays in immersion.

Speaking on the occasion treasurer of Shri Gokarnanath Temple Kudroli Padmaraj said, “Every year, the tableaux take their own time to reach back to Kudroli which causes a delay in the idols of the goddesses reaching the temple for immersion. We have to immerse the Goddesses before the sunrise. Keeping this in mind, we have sent the Lord Ganesh’s idol first followed by the Nava Durgas and Goddess Sharada.

peaking on the occasion, Taranath Kallige said, “Yesterday district minister in-charge Kota Srinivas Poojary came to the temple and met Janardhan Poojary. Poojary is a great leader and he respects everyone. This year, we have illuminated the 8.5 km stretch with 25 lakh lights. There is no contribution from the government for the programme. The temple is organizing Mangaluru Dasara with the contribution of the devotees.”

Speaking on the occasion former MLA J R Lobo said, “After Mysuru and Madikeri, the Dasara celebrated in Mangaluru is the second largest in the state. The celebrations over here have been growing like the Mysuru Dasara. I congratulate Janardhan Poojary and all the temple trustees for their efforts in keeping Mangaluru Dasara alive. It is a proud celebration and people from various states and other countries come here to witness the Dasara. Let this Dasara celebration continue to be an inspiration for the people to live in peace and harmony.”

Former Ministers U T Khader, Ramanath Rai and Abhaychandra Jain, MLA of Mangaluru South Constituency Vedavyas Kamath and other leaders were also present.