Mangaluru Dasara Festivities at Kudroli Temple from Sept. 22 to Oct. 3

Mangaluru Dasara Festivities at Kudroli Temple from Sept. 22 to Oct. 3

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, September 21, 2025: The Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple will host the annual Mangaluru Dasara Navaratri celebrations from September 22 to October 3, featuring a blend of religious rituals, cultural performances, literary events and social recognitions.

Temple Treasurer Padmaraj R. announced at a press meet that the festivities will begin on September 22 at 8:30 a.m. with Guru Prarthana, followed by the consecration of Navadurga, Maha Ganapati and Sri Sharada Mata idols. The celebrations, held under the guidance of former Union Minister B. Janardhana Poojary, will include grand programmes each day.

The inaugural religious programme on September 22 will be led by Swami Jitakamanandaji Maharaj, President of Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru and Brahmakumari Vishweshwari Ji in the presence of B. Janardhana Poojary. On September 21 evening, newly constructed temple structures will also be inaugurated.

Cultural programmes will open the same day with NMPT Chairman Dr. Venkataraman Akkaraju and Union Bank Zonal Head Rajendra Kumar as chief guests. Sanidhya Special School, White Doves, M Friends Charitable Trust and achievers Remona and Deeksha Suvarna will be honoured on the occasion.

On September 25 at 6 p.m., the Dasara Mahotsava will be formally launched in the presence of Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, MP Brijesh Chowta, AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and other dignitaries, with B Janardhana Poojary presiding.

This year, 40 cultural troupes and over 500 artistes will perform on the internationally recognised Dasara stage, presenting Bharatanatyam, folk arts, devotional plays, Yakshagana, Talamaddale, Harikatha, jugalbandis and the unique Saptaveena ensemble. A multilingual poets’ meet will be held on September 23, chaired by Kannada Development Authority Chief Dr. Purushothama Bilimale.

Competitions will include the ‘Muddu Sharade’ and Navadurga contests for children on September 24, and the Mr. Mangaluru Dasara Classic state-level bodybuilding contest and Dasara Marathon on September 26. ‘Makkala Dasara’ on September 28 will feature fancy dress drawing, and music competitions for children.

As part of the “Extraordinary Woman Award – 2025,” nine achievers will be honoured daily between September 22 and October 2 for their contributions in fields ranging from social service and literature to theatre and medicine.

Navaratri will also feature daily homas and rituals, culminating on October 3 with Bali Puja, Mantapa Puja, immersion of the Sharada idol, and Guru Puja. A grand procession with idols of Navadurga, Ganapati, and Sharada Mata will be taken out on October 2 at 4 p.m., led by B Janardhana Poojary.

Kudroli Temple Committee President Jairaj Somaraj, Vice President Urmila Ramesh, Development Committee President Devendra Poojary, Vice President Dr. B.G. Suvarna and several members were present at the press meet.