Mangaluru Sharada Mahotsava concludes with grand procession

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 23, 2026: The historic 103rd Mangaluru Sharada Mahotsava, held at the premises of Acharya Math in Car Street, concluded on Thursday with a grand procession.

The festival began on October 16 with the installation of the idol of Goddess Sharada. The celebrations featured special pujas, decorative lighting and Rangapuja.

On Wednesday evening, the goddess was adorned in elaborate decorations from 5 pm, attracting thousands of devotees for darshan. At 8.45 pm, Maha Mangalarati was performed after the darshan, following which the beautifully decorated idol of Goddess Sharada was placed in a palanquin for the procession, accompanied by chants praising the Navadurga forms, including Adishakti, Siddhidatri and Katyayani.

Despite light rain, large numbers of devotees enthusiastically participated in the procession. Volunteers carried the idol on their shoulders, ensuring the smooth conduct of the procession.

The grand immersion procession of Goddess Sharada, depicted holding a veena, began at the festival venue and passed through Sri Mahamayi Temple, Gaddekere, the road behind Canara High School, Manjeshwar Govinda Pai Circle, Ammembala Subba Rao Pai Road, Dongerkery, New Chitra Talkies, Basavanagudi, Chamargalli and Car Street before the idol was immersed at Sri Mahamaya Teertha.

Goddess Worshipped in Different Forms

Following the installation, Goddess Sharada was worshipped in different forms throughout the festival. These included Goddess Annapoorna, Lakshmi Narayani seated on a lotus, Goddess Durga riding a tiger and Goddess Mahakali.

Tableaux featuring 14 tiger dance troupes that had made vows to the goddess were a major attraction during the procession. More than 200 volunteers took part in managing the arrangements.

The procession stood out for the tradition of devotees carrying the idol of Goddess Sharada on their shoulders for more than 10 hours.