Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB/PMD)
Mangaluru, Sep 29: Ayudha Puja was held across the city on Friday, September 29, with great devotion and vigour, marking the ninth day of Navaratri.
On the day of Ayudha Puja, two wheelers, four wheelers and all other kinds of vehicles and electronic components including computers, and cameras, and agricultural tools, virtually everything that one uses to earn one's livelihood were blessed.
A day prior, devotees cleaned their machinery, vehicles, equipment and tools, and painted and decorated them with flowers. This morning, priests visited various places to offer Puja. Special religious programmes and rituals were held in temples.
Shri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, Kudroli, Mangaladevi Temple, Shri Manjunatha Temple at Kadri, Kudroli Shree Bhagavathi Temple, Kodialbail, Mariyamma Temple Urwa, and other temples in the city were all seen immersed in solemn celebrations.
Preparations for Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami in the city gave a swift rise to the market for flowers and fruits.
The demand for flowers took a steep curve upwards during the ninth day of Navaratri. The market for limes, bananas and coconuts was not left far behind. Fruits too saw a price hike. Limes sold for Rs 80 a kg were being sold at Rs 100 for the season. Coconuts saw a price rise from Rs 30 to Rs 40-45. Kadali bananas that saw a Rs 20 hike two days back, have now touched Rs 100 a kilo. Price of apples rose by Rs 20, from Rs 100. Price of oranges increased to Rs 40.
Streets were donned with fresh flower garlands. Busy vendors were seen occupying various streets, providing a variety of flowers. There was a great demand for Chrysanthemums, Jasmine, and Roses. Major roads in the city to name a few, Bunts Hostel, PVS, Urwa Store, and Kankanady saw a great purchase of flowers. The front end of all temples in the city too witnessed an exceptional sale of flowers. A huge supply of flowers from Hassan and Tumakuru made its way into the city. A string of flowers from Hassan was sold for as much as Rs 2000, and from Tumakuru was sold at Rs 1,500.