Mangaluru : The grand dasara festival popularly known as ‘Mangaluru Dasara’ concluded at Kudroli Gokarnanatheswara Temple here on Saturday.

The ten day celebrations culminated with procession of idols of deities including Nava Durgas, Lord Ganapathi and others began on Saturday evening from the temple premises and covered a length of 9 kilometers including Lady Hill circle, PVS circle, University College, Car Street and other parts of the city and returned to the temple on Sunday morning for immersion of idols of the deities.

The procession, which started around 6.30 pm from the temple, under the guidance of veteran Congress leader B Janardhana Poojary. The procession had more than 65 tableaux, more than 30 tiger dance teams, Chende, Kombu, and other folk art teams. Colourful umbrellas, Dollu Kunitha team, Gombe Kunitha, Bhajan teams and other artistes added colour to the celebration.

The tableau carrying the idol of Lord Ganesha led the procession, followed by the tableaux carrying the portrait of Brahmasri Narayana Guru, idols of Adishakthi, Nava Durge – Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kooshmadhini, Skandamatha, Kathyayini, Mahakali, Gowri and Siddidhatri and that of Goddess Sharada, the much awaited among all.

The streets were decked up with light and colour. The idol of Goddess Sharada was the first to emerge out of the temple. As the deity was taken out, devotees performed Arathi, offered fruits, vegetables, and coconuts to the idol.

The Mannagudda Road leading to the temple from Lady Hill Circle was bustling with people ahead of the procession. While some had already occupied vantage points on the pavements and on buildings, bus stops and also the footpaths, some preferred to be on move to get close to the procession.

The devotees offered their obeisance when the tableaux carrying the idols stopped. Some also performed Puja, received vermilion in return and applied it on their foreheads.

The volunteers who worked hard for 10 day long Dasara celebrations felicitated prior the procession. Karnataka state minister UT Khader, MLA JR Lobo, MLA Ivan D’Souza, MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake and others were took part in the stage program.

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