Mangaluru: Mangaluru was soaked in festive fervour with thousands of devotees and tourists witnessing the renowned Mangaluru Dasara procession of Kudroli Sri Gokarnatha temple and Rathotsava of Sri Mangaladevi temple on Thursday.The Mangaluru Dasara procession, held as part of the Navaratri and Dasara festivities at Kudroli temple, saw the participation of a mammoth crowd. Before the Dasara procession began, a visarjan puja was offered to the idol of Sharada at Kudroli temple. Later, idols of Mahaganapathi, Navadurge, and Sharada were taken in a procession.Padmaraj R Poojary, treasurer of the Kudroli temple, said that Mangaluru Dasara was celebrated with vibrancy under the guidance of former Union minister B Janardhan Poojary. “This is indeed unity in diversity. Lakhs of people from various parts of the nation and abroad arrive to the city to witness Mangaluru Dasara procession. Hundreds of volunteers have worked to make all arrangements for a grand procession,” he said.People were seen waiting on both sides of the roads to witness the procession, where Pili Vesha (tiger dance), cultural programmes, and tableaux of various organisations were the highlights. While the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) decorated city roads, private establishments illuminated their buildings as part of the festivities.The procession began from Kudroli temple premises went through Mannagudde, Brahmasri Narayana Guru Circle, Lalbagh, PVS Circle, Rashtrakavi Govinda Pai Circle, KS Rao Road, Ganapathi High School Road, Mohini Vilas, Car Street, and Alake, culminating at Kudroli femple for idol immersion in the temple ‘Pushkarini’, on Friday morning. Strict security and traffic arrangements were in place across the city.Rathotsava at Mangaladevi templeThe annual Rathotsava, as part of the Navaratri festival, was held at Sri Mahathobhara Mangaladevi temple in the city on Thursday. Devotees thronged the temple in large numbers to witness the rituals. A colourful procession was held as part of the festival. Earlier, a ‘Vidyarambha’ ceremony, initiating toddlers into their student life, was held at the temple. Over 100 children were initiated into the student life, on the occasion.
