Reports and photos: Sathish Kapikad.
Mangaluru, October 23: The idols of the deities worshipped at Kudroli Shree Gokarnanatha temple on the occasion of Dasara were taken on a grand procession in the evening on October 23rd led by Former Minister B Janardhan Poojary on account of the 25th year of Dasara celebrations.
The idols of Lord Ganapathy, Aadishakthi, Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmandini, Skandamaatha, Katyayini, Mahakali, Mahagowri, Siddidatri, and Sharada Maata were brought out from the Gorarna Kala Mantap in Kudroli and taken in a grand procession throughout the city on decorated vehicles.
The procession began from the premises of Kudroli Shree Gokarnanatha temple. Colourful umbrellas, Kerala Chende, Nasik Band, Bengaluru Music Team, dance by Bhajan teams, Veeragase dance, Kalladka dolls, Balamurali Krishna Kolaata team from Andrapradesh, music teams, Kamsale, drums, trumpets, dance by various troops, tiger dance, music and tableaux were part of the procession.
The procession traversed through Mannagudde, Ladyhill, Lalbhagh, Ballalbhagh, PVS, Navabharat Circle, MG Road, K S Rao Road, Hampankatte, GHS road, Mohini Vilas, Om Mahal junction, Car street, lower car street, New Chitra theatre, Alake and culminated at the pond of the temple.
Lakhs of people participated in the procession. The city was glittering with colourful lights installed on both sides of the streets. The devotees offered poojas to the Deities through\out the procession. Huge crowd gathered in the streets including women and children to catch a glimpse of the beautiful procession.
On this occasion, National Billava Mahamandala President Jaya C Suvarna, temple administrative board president H S Sairam, vice-president Ragahvendra Kulur, Treasurer Padmaraj R, temple development board member Devendra Poojary, Dr B G suvarna, M Shekar Poojary, Dr Anusuya B G Salyan, D D Kattemar, Ravishankar Mijar, office bearers B K Tharanath, K Maheshchandra,Devendra Poojary, Harikrishna Bantwal, B Devdas, N Harischandra, Radhakrishna and others were present.
The procession started with rituals held in the temple premises in the presence of former union minister B Janardhan Poojary along with other office-bearers and members of the administration committee of the Temple. Janardhana Poojary performed prayers in front of the ‘Sharadadevi’ idol and offered ‘Prasadam’ to B Ramanatha Rai, U T Khader, Trustee H S Sairam, B T Salian, Dr Anusuya, N M Suvarna, Sathish Bhat and to many others.
Tight police security:
Traffic was diverted to another route as the procession would move on the main streets of the city. Tight police security was deployed all over the city to avoid untoward incidents.
Vehicular movement banned:
Mangaluru City police Commissioner S Murugan ordered ban on vehicular movement and parking from 3pm on Friday on the streets in which the procession would move. Hence, as soon as the procession began, the traffic movement was banned from New Chitra towards Kudroli, and Alake junction towards Kudroli temple. Also ban was imposed at the streets of Kudroli temple South gate and North gate.
Crackers banned during procession:
As informed earlier by the temple committee, bursting crackers during the procession was banned. Other vehicles were not allowed to move in between the procession.
