Mangaluru Dasara 2024: Grand procession enthralls thousands of devotees

Mangaluru: The city of Mangaluru was illuminated in vibrant lights as thousands of devotees gathered to witness the grandeur of the “Mangaluru Dasara” procession. The procession, organized by Kudroli Shri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, began on Sunday evening and continued until the early hours of Monday morning, despite intermittent rain.

The procession, held under the guidance of former Union Minister and temple renovation visionary B. Janardhana Poojary, was a spectacle of devotion and color, captivating the crowds. The event included a grand display of deities, with idols of Shri Mahaganapati, Adishakti, Navadurga, Shri Sharada Mata, and Brahma Shri Narayana Guru, adorned in an elaborate, colourful procession.

The procession started from Kudroli temple and followed a 9-kilometer route through Manngudda, Ladyhill, Narayana Guru Circle, Lalbagh, Ballalbagh, PVS Circle, KS Rao Road, Hampankatta, and VV College Circle before returning to the temple via Ganapathi High School Road and Car Street.

Honoring Volunteers

Before the commencement of the procession, Janardhana Poojary honoured several temple volunteers in the presence of the deity Shri Sharada. The dignitaries who attended the event included MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath, MLC Pratapsimha Nayak, Temple Management Committee President H.S. Sairam, Vice Presidents Urmila Ramesh and B. Madhav Suvarna, Treasurer Padmaraj R., and other key figures like Malathi J. Poojary, Santosh Kumar J., and Naveenchandra D. Suvarna.

Vibrant Dasara Procession

The procession was a feast for the eyes, featuring decorated flags, folk art groups, bhajan troupes, musical bands, and a variety of artistic performances. Several religious and cultural tableaux, organized by various social and cultural organizations, added to the charm of the event. A special highlight was the display of various “Hulivesha” (tiger dance) teams, which enthralled the audience. The procession also featured dance performances, tableau representations of Indian heritage, and other traditional art forms, bringing a splash of color and culture to the streets. The streets along the route were packed with devotees who had gathered to witness the grand procession.

A People’s Dasara

Mangaluru Dasara is a celebration driven by the people, and the success of the event is attributed to the blessings of the deities residing in Kudroli. Each year, the grandeur of Mangaluru Dasara attracts attention from across the world. This year, the veena played by Shri Sharada Mata was crafted from silver by Poojary’s son, Santosh. Next year, Janardhana Poojary announced that, with divine blessings, a gold veena would be offered to the goddess.