Pics: Sachin Ucchila
Daijiworld Media Network – Kaup (TP)
Kaup, Oct 3: The fourth edition of Uchila Dasara, a ten-day spiritual and cultural celebration, came to a grand and devotional close on October 2, drawing thousands of devotees and well-wishers to the coastal town of Uchila.
Held under the leadership of Nadoja G Shankar, the festival culminated with a magnificent Vijayadashami procession featuring the Navadurga idols and Sharada Mata, which were carried from Sri Mahalakshmi Temple and later ceremoniously immersed in the sea at Kaup beach, amid Vedic rituals and breathtaking visuals.
The sacred rituals were led by chief priest Kukkikatte Ragavendra Tantri and priest Ragavendra Upadhyaya, who performed the mass Chandika Yaga and associated poojas. A mass prayer was conducted under the guidance of Nadoja G Shankar, while the idol of Goddess Mahalakshmi was specially honoured with a ceremonial offering atop a traditional Ambari.
The temple drew visits from numerous religious and political dignitaries, who offered their respects to the deity. Among them were Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha Swamiji of Kaniyoor Math, minister Mankal Vaidya, MLA Aravind Bellada, former minister Nagaraj Shetty, MLA Yashpal Suvarna, and entrepreneur Bhuvanendra Kediyoor.
Over the course of 11 days, the temple premises came alive with cultural programmes, competitions, and devotional performances, making it a spiritual and festive hub for the region.
The Vijayadashami procession, led by Nadoja G Shankar, began in the evening from Ucchila Mahalakshmi Temple, passed through Yermal, and culminated at Kaup beach. The colourful parade featured more than 60 elaborate tableaus, along with Kunitha Bhajan troupes, Nasik bands, and a host of traditional art forms that enthralled the crowd.
Highlights of the procession included themes such as tribal dances, Lord Hanuman, Shirdi Sai Baba, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Bhajan Mandalis, Ayodhya Rama Mandir, Operation Sindoor, as well as dynamic performances of the Tiger Dance and Chende drumming, all of which received spirited responses from spectators.
Upon reaching the beach, the idols were reverently placed along the shore for the concluding Gangarathi ritual, performed by a team from Kashi. The ritual involved conch-blowing, incense offerings, oil lamps, and camphor arati, maintaining rich Vedic traditions.
Adding to the visual spectacle, a fireworks display launched from boats anchored at sea lit up the night sky, while flower petals were showered onto the idols by drones, creating a breathtaking finale to the spiritual ceremony.
Prominent personalities including Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T K, MLAs Gurme Suresh Shetty and Yashpal Suvarna, president of Sri Mahalakshmi Temple Sri Kshetra Ucchila Nadoja G Shankar, president of Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Sangha Jaya C Kotian, and Temple Management Committee president Giridhar Suvarna were present at the closing events.
The Uchila Dasara celebration has once again reinforced its status as a major coastal festival blending tradition, devotion, and cultural richness, leaving behind cherished memories for thousands of participants and onlookers.