Mangalore: The most awaited festival of the year, the Navaratri or Dasara has got off to a wonderful start in Mangalore as well as in several places of DK and Udupi districts. One of the most vibrant festivals celebrated  here, the whole of the city joins the  celebrations. The Dasara celebration is unique in Mangalore when compared to other parts of the state.

The whole of Mangalore is wearing a festive look with streets illuminated as it is a whole new world of colours. The temples of Goddesses are organizing various rituals and special look and  a host of programmes and rituals  in the pipeline to mark the festival.

Navaratri is the time to worship Mother Goddess or Shakti, the embodiment of all energy.The festival commences on the first day of the bright half of the lunar month, Ashvina and ends on the tenth day.

Navaratri means Nine Nights and these nine nights are entirely devoted to the worship of Mother Goddess who exists in many forms and is the absolute energy that pervades the Universe.

As per the “Brihat Dharma Purana” Sati, wife of Lord Shiva, wanted to visit her father Daksha’s house where a Yajna was organised. But when Lord Shiva denies permission just because he was not invited, Sati was angered and fire begins to emit from her third eye and she changes into Kali. It is said a terribly scared Shiva saw all her nine forms   namely Shailaputri, Brahmachaarini, Chandraghanta, Kushmaanda, Skanda Mata, Kaatyayani, Kaali, Mahagauri and   Sidhidaatri on that occasion.

Ayudha Pooja and Saraswathi Pooja are celebrated on the ninth day while Vijaya Dashami marks the culmination of this festival signifying the Victory of the Good over the Evil.  On this day children are initiated into learning at many places.

The Mangalore Dasara: Dasara celebrations in Mangalore is unique. The most spectacular of all is the celebration at Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple where the idol of Goddess Sharada and that of Navadurgis have been installed and are worshipped.

Other prominent temples where Navaratri is celebrated include Sri Mangaladevi Temple, Bolar, Sri Venkatramana Temple, Carstreet,  Kateel Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple and Bappanadu Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple and  Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple.

The Navaratri celebrations conclude with a colourful  Shobha Yatra wherein idols of Navadurgis and Goddess Sharada, apart from several  tableaux depicting mythological and historical sequences are taken out on the streets of the town. The celebrations culminate with the immersion of the idols in the temple lake.