Mangaluru Dasara from Oct 11 to 22; CM D.K. Shivakumar to inaugurate festivities on Oct 12
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Oct 8, 2026: The historic Mangaluru Dasara and Navaratri festival will be celebrated in grand style at the Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple from October 11 to 22. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will formally inaugurate the festivities on October 12.
The festival, a symbol of the religious and cultural heritage of coastal Karnataka, will be held under the guidance of B. Janardhana Poojary, former Union Finance Minister and the architect of the temple’s renovation. All preparations for the celebrations have been completed, said Padmaraj Poojary.
The temple premises have been specially decorated for the occasion. The grand Darbar Hall will feature beautifully designed idols of Sri Mahaganapathi, Sri Adishakti, the Navadurgas and Goddess Sharada, which will be installed and worshipped during the festival. Bhajans, dance, music, sports events and various folk art performances will add to the festivities.
The rituals will begin on October 11, with the installation of Goddess Sharada and the Navadurgas scheduled for noon. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will inaugurate Mangaluru Dasara at 6.30 pm on October 12. Ministers from various departments of the Karnataka government are expected to attend the event.
The historic Mangaluru Dasara Shobhayatra will be taken out on October 21 at 4 pm.
From October 12 to 20, Chandikahoma will be performed at the temple every day at 8.30 am. A special mass Chandikahoma will be held on October 17, with the Poornahuthi scheduled for 11.30 am. Devotees and members of the public will also be allowed to participate in the rituals.
Under the ‘Dasara Kalajhenkara’ programme, cultural events featuring national, international and local artistes will be held at the Santoshi Kala Mantapa from October 11 to 20, from 2.30 pm to 11.30 pm daily. Every day, women who have made notable contributions to society will also be honoured with the ‘Asamanya Stree’ award.
A state-level Dasara poetry meet, along with story and poetry competitions, will be held on October 12. On October 13, the state-level devotional group dance competition ‘Rudra Tandavam – Season 2’ will be held from 7.30 pm.
‘Makkala Dasara’ for children will be held on October 15 and inaugurated at 9 am. Bhajan, drawing and patriotic song competitions will be organised. The ‘Muddu Sharade’ competition will be held on October 16, followed by Dasara Marathon Edition-4 and ‘Kinnipili – Season 2’ on October 18.
‘Mahila Dasara’ will be organised for women on October 19, featuring competitions in Bharatanatyam, fireless cooking, rangoli, mehendi, group singing and flower decoration. A group Garba-Dandiya performance by women will also be held at 8 pm.
On October 20, various cultural competitions will be conducted under the theme ‘Dasara Rangantaranga’.
An Aksharabhyasa ceremony for children will be held at 9 am on October 20 in the presence of Goddess Sharada. Organisers have appealed to the public to make use of the opportunity.
Palace-style Darbar Mantapa
The Darbar Mantapa, where Sri Mahaganapathi, Sri Adishakti, the Navadurgas and Goddess Sharada will be installed, has been specially designed in an attractive palace-style architecture this year.
Jayaram Somasundar, Harikrishna Bantwal and Leelaksha Karkera, among others, were present at the press conference.