Century-old Sharada Puja celebrations mark milestone in Panemangalore

The Sharada Puja Mahotsav, which began in 1923 alongside the founding of a school and the devastating Nethravathi river flood, is now celebrating its centenary.

All three events—the devastating flood, the school’s establishment, and the commencement of the festival—are completing 100 years this year.

Held at the Shri Vitthal Swami Aided School in Panemangalore, the festival initially involved only the worship of a deity’s photograph for the first two to three years. In its fourth year, the deity was transformed into an idol by the late P. Vasudev Bhat, marking a new phase in the celebration.

The flood of 1923 washed away the Basel Mission’s small school that had been set up for local children in Panemangalore. The entire village was submerged, and when life eventually returned to normal, there was no facility left for educating children.

Local leaders, with the help of Nandavar Vasudevaraya, came together to open Shri Veer Vitthal Swami Primary School on September 1, 1924.

The school, which started with just 55 students, received royal patronage, including land donated by Ramakrishna Rao of the Mardol royal family.