Mangalore : The 24th edition of Mangalore Dasara 2014 will commence on September 25, at Sri Kshetra Gokarnanatha in Kudroli, Mangalore said, Hari Krishna Bantwal, member of the temple development committee in a press meet held at temple premise here on Saturday September 20.

The 10-days festival will culminate on October 4 with grand Dasara procession. First time three tableaus sponsored by Kerala Janapada Academy will part on Dasara procession.

Mangalore Mayor Mahabala Marla will inaugurate the function of installation of Nava Durgas and Goddess Sharada in the presence of Urmila Ramesh Kumar on September 25. Chief minister Siddaramaiah to officially inaugurate the Mangalore Dasara 2014 on September 27. B Janardhan Poojary, former union minister will preside over the function.

Mahanavami utsav rituals will commence on September 25 with installation of idols of Nava Durga and Goddess Sharada on the same day. Daily pooja and rituals will be offered to idols of Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kooshmandini, Siddhidatri, Mahakali, Mahagowri, Kathyayini, Skanda Mata, Adishakti, Shailaputri and Ganapathi, Hari Krishna said.

Cultural programmes featuring leading artists will be held as part of celebrations on all the days during the festival. A maha chandika homa on October 2 and mass feeding of devotees, a day later which is also penultimate day of the Navarathri Mahotsava is the highlight of the celebration this year. Due care has been taken to ensure safety and security of devotees who will visit the temple and number of CCTVs has been increased from 19 to 27, including two in the newly set up parking lot adjacent to the temple.

Around 60 tableaux are expected to participate in the procession this year, all those who wish to take part in the same as per direction given by Mangalore City Police must register with the temple authorities on or before September 25. Only those tableaux that depict religion, culture and art forms will be allowed to be part of the nearly 9-km long procession through the main thoroughfares of the city, he said.

The procession that will start at the Kshetra will pass through Mannagudda, Lady Hill Circle, Lalbagh, Ballalbagh, PVS Circle, Navabharath Circle, K S Rao Road, Hampankatta and then move right from University College along Ganapathi High School road, Sri Venkataramana Temple, Car Street, New Chitra talkies and Alake before reaching the Kshetra. Later, the idols will be immersed in the temple pond in the early hours on October 5.

Cultural programmes will be held from September 25 to October 3 from 6 pm.
On September 25 sangeetha saurabha by Swara Madhurya of Yashawisni Ullal (6 pm to 9 pm), September 26 ‘devotional songs by Saptaswara Orchestra of Prabhakar Thannirbavi (6.30 pm onwards); September 27, Jnana Aithal and team to present music, dance and rasamanjari by Reality show kids (6 pm); September 28 ‘Nritya sangama’ by Gana Nritya Academy (6.30 pm), September 29, Bharatnatyam by Rashmi Udupa (Chennai) and team (6.30 pm), September 30,‘Tulunada samskriti’ by Kala Kumbha Samskrithika Vedike (6.30 pm), October 1,Variety of dance by Rashmi Kundar and ream (6 pm to 7.30 pm) and dance by Sizzling guys (7.30 pm to 9 pm), October 2,dance by Pramod Alva Dance Crew of Indias Got Talent show (6.30 pm to 9.30 pm) and ‘Shiva tandava dance’ by Devika Parameshwari and ‘Bhakti gaana sudha’ by Rameshchandra, Bangalore (6 pm onwards). Arrangements