Mangaluru: Adorned with festive lights, the coastal city drew large crowds on Wednesday to witness the vibrant Mangaluru Dasara procession.The 8km procession route came alive as idols of Mahaganapathi, Goddess Sharada, Adishakthi and the Navadurga avatars — Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamatha, Katyayani, Mahakali, Mahagouri and Siddhidhatri — from Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple moved through the city, accompanied by traditional folk troupes and artistes from across Karnataka.The procession began from Kudroli Temple after a visarjana pooja was offered to Goddess Sharada in the presence of temple patron B Janardhana Poojary. Cultural programmes were held at various points along the illuminated route.Temple management committee treasurer Padmaraj R Poojary said the temple recorded nearly 25% higher footfall during this year’s Navaratri and Dasara celebrations. More than two lakh people were expected to watch the procession, tableaux, performances by artistes from across the state and tiger dances. Over 1,000 volunteers were deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the procession.After nearly 10 hours on city streets, the 10-day festival will culminate with the immersion of the idols in Shiva Pushkarini at Kudroli Temple early Thursday. Mangaluru City police made elaborate traffic and crowd-management arrangements, with diversions on the procession route and adjoining roads.Tiger dancer thanks CMPili Vesha, an integral part of Mangaluru’s Navaratri and Dasara celebrations, added colour to the festivities. A tiger dancer from Kudroli Shiva Friends troupe sported a picture of chief minister DK Shivakumar painted on his body, thanking him for announcing Tulu as the second official language in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.Festivities at Mangaladevi TempleThousands of devotees witnessed religious rituals at Mahathobhara Sri Mangaladevi Temple. Vijaya Dashami, ‘Navatheneya Dhanya Lakshmi’ pooja, Vidyarambha, Tulabhara and Maharathotsava were held. ‘Avabhritha Mangala Snana’ rituals will be offered on Thursday, while the festival will conclude with ‘Samprokshane’ on Friday.
