Mangaluru : The Konkani Catholics along the coast celebrate ‘Monti Fest’ which is the celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ’s mother, Mother Mary on September 8th combined with the harvest festival, and as a preparation to it, the 9 days novena prayers commenced from Aug 30th.

The speciality of the daily novena prayers is that children come to the church bearing flowers which they shower upon a baby statue of ‘Mother Mary’ while singing her hymns. This activity is normally conducted in front of the grotto at the church premises.

After the 9 days novena prayers, the new harvest festival ‘Monti Fest’ is organised on the 10th day on Sep 8th with community prayers at the churches followed by celebrations in individual homes.

Monti Fest is particularly celebrated in Udupi diocese and in Mangaluru diocese which includes Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod. The novena prayers have begun in both the diocese since Friday.