Shri Mangaladevi Navarathi Mahotsava from Oct 8 - 18

Shri Mangaladevi Navarathi Mahotsava from Oct 8 - 18

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 5: Ramnath Hegde, the managing trustee of the Mangala Devi Temple, said that the Mahathobhara Shri Mangaladevi Navarathri Mahotsava will be held from Oct 8 – 18, as a part of which a number of cultural programmes will be arranged.

Mr. Hegde was addressing reporters at a press conference held at the temple on Oct 5, Tuesday. B. R. Bhat, the general manager of Corporation Bank, will inaugurate the cultural programmes; and Premanand Shetty, the corporator of Mangaladevi, will be the chief guest, he added.

Speaking about the developmental projects undertaken by the temple in the past, he said that this will continue in the future too. He disclosed that the temple has performed around 350 free marriages for couples belonging to the financially backward sections of society. Besides the temple has already offered the main entrance made of 40kgs of silver, and will soon offer a silver-plated door costing Rs. 30 lakh, he said.

A gold mask weighing 2.5kg and worth Rs 30 lakh has been specially made with the help of gold and donations collected from the devotees. This mask will be offered to the goddess on Oct 7, Thursday at 9 a.m. in the presence of DC V. Ponnuraj and President of the Bunts’ Association M. Ajith Kumar Rai, he informed.

The Janapada Kalotsava, a series of competitions in 4 categories, will be conducted on the rangapantapa of the temple on Oct 9 at 6 p.m. for children from I to X Standards, he said and added that interested participants must register on or before Oct 8 at the temple. Those interested can also contact Veena Bhat at 9242811187/ 2423117, he said.

Seemanth Kumar Singh, the police commissioner of Mangalore, will preside over the valedictory programme, which will be held on Oct 18, Monday. IFS Vijay Kumar, the deputy conservator of forests, and A. G. Pai of MSEZ will be the chief guests. Ramnath Pradeep, the chairman of Corporation Bank, will be the special chief guest. District-in-charge Minister Krishna Palemar will be the special guest at the Sathyanarayana Pooja, which will be held on Oct 19, Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Sudhakar Rao Pejawar and chief priest Padmanabha Aithal were present at the press conference.