Mangalore: The religious flag was raised on a tall metallic pillar known as             Dhwaja- sthambha at the hoary Navanatha Temple of Sri Manjunatheshwara in Kadri today (Saturday) at 8A.M. to symbolise the start of  a 9 day long annual festival in the heart of the coastal city here. A human form of Garuda rose in the sky on the 62 foot high pole with clothes and flowers. Coconuts, areca and several vegetables and green leaves were used for decorations in front of the historic temple.
Deputy Speaker of Vidhana Soudha and city MLA, N.Yogish Bhat was present on the occasion along with Pradeep k.Kalkura, administrator Kusumadhar and B.Madhava(CEO), besides A.J.Shetty, Chief Trustee. A festival of lights is due on Jan.21