Mangalore: A three-day Sri Rama birthday (Ramotsava) celebrations organised at the local Central Nehru Maidan grounds by Vishwa Hindu Parishat (VHP), Bajrang (Hanuman) Dal, and Sri Ramotsava celebrations committee of DK district came to an end on Wednesday night with cultural programmes here.
A colourful procession to observe Srinivasa Kalyanotsava (marriage ceremony) was taken out on April 13 from Sri Venkataramana temple premises on Car Street in city to the venue of Ramotsava at the Maidan.
Thousands participated in the Kalyanotsava in which Venkatesh Murthy of Srivari Foundation of Bengaluru took the leading part. An Ayodhya Nagar imaginatively created to show Sri Rama’s palace in Treta Yuga, attracted the most of Rama devotees.
City MP Nalin Kumar Kateelu addressing a religious meet, referred to creation of a Sri Rama Temple in Ayodhya as an example of Hindu (Indian) pride, and the observance of Sri Rama Navami festival or Sri Rama Leela (as it known in northern Hindi belt and Delhi) in Chaitra season played an important role in this existence or reality.

He pleaded for the continuance of a traditional national culture such as Rama Leela as our own. All patriots must join hands to celebrate this Day, he added.

Karnataka Bank GM Jayarama Hande called upon parents to teach Ramayana and Mahabharatha in every home.
A Ravana’s effigy (60 feet tall) was burnt with cracker bursts at the end of the programme.