Mangaluru Dasara celebrations inaugurated at Kudroli Temple by Speaker U.T. Khader

Mangaluru Dasara celebrations inaugurated at Kudroli Temple by Speaker U.T. Khader

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 26, 2025: The Mangaluru Dasara festivities at Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple were inaugurated on Thursday by Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader. Former Finance Minister B. Janardhana Poojary, the visionary behind the temple’s renovation, presided over the function and conferred the Mangaluru Dasara Honour 2025.

Speaking on the occasion, Janardhana Poojary recalled how former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had given him an opportunity to contest elections when he had nothing, which later led to him becoming a Union Minister. He said the Kudroli temple was inaugurated by Indira Gandhi after its renovation, and that leaders like Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi had also supported its growth. He cautioned the temple committee never to forget their contributions and wished them well.

 

 

 

 

Inaugurating the celebrations, Speaker U.T. Khader said Mangaluru Dasara reflects the district’s unique cultural identity. He added that Kudroli temple has always been a symbol of communal harmony, spreading the message that all communities must live together as one. “We are all Indians first, and only when we understand this can society achieve collective progress,” he noted, recalling the teachings of social reformer Sri Narayana Guru.

Religious Endowment and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy extended his wishes. District In-charge and Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that after Mysuru Dasara, the Mangaluru Dasara has become one of the most popular annual attractions in the state. He credited Janardhana Poojary’s leadership and dedication for making it a people’s festival. He further assured that from next year, the state government would make efforts to provide grants for Mangaluru Dasara celebrations.

Several dignitaries, including MP Brijesh Chowta, MLCs Manjunath Bhandari and Ivan D’Souza, Chief Whip Ashok Devappa Patil, Border Area Development Authority Chairman Somanna Bevinmarada, former ministers Ramanath Rai and J.R. Lobo, Harish Kumar, Kudroli Temple Development Committee President Devendra Poojary, Temple Administrative Committee President Jayaraj H. Somasundaram, Vice-President Urmila Ramesh, Secretary B. Madhava Suvarna, and other committee members were present. Treasurer R. Padmaraj welcomed the gathering, and Smitesh S. Barya compered the event.

On the occasion, special honours were conferred as part of the Mangaluru Dasara Sanmana. Dr. M. Mohan Alva (Chairman, Alva’s Education Foundation), Dr. Tukaram Poojary (Director, Abbakka Study Centre), Dr. Durga Prasad M.R. (Medical Superintendent, Lady Goschen Hospital), and activist Shalet (popularly known as “mother of mute animals”) were felicitated for their contributions.