Mangalore: Dazzling Dasara Procession Concludes on a Grand Note
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Oct 6: The grand Dasara procession which began its journey from Kudroli Lord Gokarnanatheshwara Temple premises here on Thursday October 6 at 4.30 pm, drew to an end with the immersion of the idols on Friday October 7 morning.
The idols of Navadurgas, Goddess Sharada and Lord Ganapati were taken out in the procession which passed through the city, accompanied by a myriad variety of tableaux, bands, beating of drums and colourful umbrellas from Trishur in Kerala.
Devotees in large numbers participated in this magnificent religious procession. A number of foreigners too joined in, fascinated by the grand Dasara of Mangalore. Though the number was sparse in the beginning, the crowd increased as the evening progressed.
The procession passed through Mannagudda, Lady Hill Circle via Ballalbagh, PVS, Navabharat Circle, K S Rao Road, Hampankatta, GHS Road to Sri Venkataramana Temple through New Chitra Talkies and finally culminated in a grand finale at the Kudroli Temple premises on Friday October 7 morning. The idols were immersed at the temple pond, after the last ceremonial pujas and aarthis performed by the temple priests to the idols.
As prior permission for additional tableux has been made mandatory this year, no more tableau joined the procession during its course through the city. In all, 40 colourful tableux took part.
Vehicular movement through this route was banned till the end of the Dasara procession. Tight security had been deployed across the city.
Orchestras were arranged at vantage spots in various parts of the city to welcome the grand procession, while the entire route as been decorated with arches, colourful festoons and lights to add more colour to the grand event.
The gold ornaments on the idols were removed, meticulously accounted and stored. Shri Sharadamba idol was then placed on a specially decorated raft for immersion.
The concept of having a Dasara procession began here around 20 years ago. The Mangalore Dasara has gained its own significance over the years and has been successful in attracting huge crowds year after year, the strength of which is in-fact growing annually.