Mangalore, Oct.5: The grand inaugural ceremony of Dasara celebrations at Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple commenced on a grand note on October 5, Saturday with the installation of the idols of Goddess Sharada, Navadurgas and Lord Ganesha.
The celebrations were inaugurated by Ramesh Kumar and Urmila Ramesh Kumar of Janatha Constructions, by lighting the traditional lamp in front of the idol of Goddess Sharada.
The idols of Navadurgas namely Shaila Putri, Brahmacharini, Chandra Ghanta, Kushmaandini, Skandamatha, Katyayini, Kaalaratri, Maha Gauri and Sidhidaathri were installed at Sri Gokarnanatha Kalyana Mantap of the Temple.
Spoking on the occasion the development committee member Harikrishna Bantwal said that Kudroli Temple has the history of 101 year. This navaratri fest is popularized as “Mangalore Dasara”. This utsav will continue for 10 days from now. From last 23 years the Navaratri fest is grandly celebrated with the initiation of B. Janardhan Poojary and it is for the first time in the history of south India female priests were going to worship in the temple he said.
H S Sairam, President of the Temple Management Committee, vice president Raghavendra Kuloor, treasurer Padmaraj, and the other member of the committee Harikrishna Bantwal, Maheshchandra, B K Tharanath, Malathi Janardhan Poojary, Madhava Suvarna, Jaya C Suvarna, evendra Poojary, B. Devdas, N. Harishchandra, Radakrishna and others were present.
A variety of religious and cultural programmes will be held at the Santoshi Kalyana Mantap on all days of the festival. Mass Anna Santharpane is also offered to devotees every afternoon. There will be Mass Anna Santharpane followed by the Maha Puja at the Temple every day.
