Mangaluru Dasara concludes with grand procession

Mangaluru Dasara concludes with grand procession

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 12, 2016: The yatre will conclude Wednesday morning at the launch point, with the immersion of the idol of Goddess Sharada the presiding deity of Navaratri at the pond on the premises of the temple.


The ’Shobha Yatre’ last night took more than 15 hrs, the seven-kilometre long procession started at Sri Gokarnanatha Kshetra,  through Mannaguda, Ladyhill Circle, MG Road, Ballalbagh Circle, PVS Circle, Navbharath Circle, KS Rao Road, Hampankatta, University College, Ganapathi High School, Venkataramana Temple, Car Street, New Chitra Talkies and Alake, before returning to the Kudroli shrine.

 

 

 

 

The yatre started at 4 pm on Oct 11, Tuesday. Over 70 tableaux, including 13 from Kudroli, was the prime attracion. ’Pili nalike’ (tiger dance) was the top in interest. The tableau carrying the idol of Lord Ganesha was the ’nishane’ (leading the direction), followed by the tableaux carrying the portrait of Brahma Sri Narayana Guru, idols of Adi Shakti, Nava Durge - Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmadhini, Skanda Matha, Kathyayini, Mahakali, Gowri and Siddhidhatri and that of ’Goddess Sharada’, which was the much-awaited among all. The colourful and focus lights used on the tableaux created a divine atmosphere all around.

Members of Billava Shakti, in open jeep, towed another vehicle with a huge portrait of Narayana Guru, paying tributes to the founder of the Sri Gokarnanatha Kshetra.  ’Pili nalike’ (tiger dance) by artistes from different organisations was the instant crowd-puller. Among performing troupes, artistes of Shilpa Gombe Balaga from Kalladka brought Ravana alive, along with Yakshagana and other art forms. Kamsale artistes from Sri Kalleshwara Bhajana Mandali, Dhanka Shriroora, Gadag performed in the backdrop of bhajan renditions.

Rain a spoilsport :  Umbrellas od many sades and sizes used by people in the procession, added to the festive mood that remained indomitable in spite of sudden downpour. As and when the tableaux carrying the idols paused, devotees gathered alongside and offered their obeisance. Some also offered puja, receiving vermilion in return and applying the same on their foreheads with equal devotion.  Live orchestra was another attraction with a troupe of artistes from Dasara Dance Party also dressed as women dancing to foot-tapping songs, lauded by the youth.

The Mannagudda road, leading to the shrine from Ladyhill Circle, was bustling with people ahead of the procession. While some people had already occupied vantage points on the pavements of commercial complexes, bus stops and also the footpaths, some preferred to be on the move, to get up close to the procession.  Police restricted the movement of vehicles from Mannagudda Circle till the temple. Following this, people had to park vehicles nearby and take to walk to reach the temple.

Apart from the devotees who had occupied the vantage positions on the procession route, make-shift food vendors did a roaring business. While the chaat items, like churmuri (a mix of puffed rice and chopped vegetable) and panipuri, were the pick of the elders, tiny tots and youngsters insisted on having ice cream.  Vendors, selling balloons, musical instruments like flutes and drums and toys did good business.