Mangalore: 12th annual Ramotsava celebration kicks off

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Apr 19: The three-day 'Sri Ramotsava' organized under the aegis of Vishwa Hindu Parishat, Bajrang Dal, Durgavahini, Matru Mandali and Sri Ramotsava Samiti commenced at Nehru Maidan here on Friday April 12.

The celebration was kicked off by hoisting of the flag by L D Ballal in the presence of Pushparaj Jain, president of Ramotsava committee and others.

Prior to the flag hoisting, Sri Ram Pratisthapane, Mahaganapathi Ganahoma, and Go Puja was held.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Jeetendra Kottary, district Dharma Prasarana Pramuka of VHP said Sri Rama Navami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of lord Rama which is observed world-wide. "In this district, various like-minded associations have been joining together and celebrating this occasion in a unique way from past several years at Nehru Maidan. The event has been supported by several devotees," said Kottary.

The three-day celebrations will comprise various religious ceremonies, cultural programmes and so on and will culminate on Sunday April 21 with ‘Ravana Dahana’, the burning of demon Ravana’s effigy.

A 25-feet tall Ravana effigy has been installed and a beautiful replica of Ram Mandir built at the Maidan as part of the celebrations.

On the occasion, ‘Bhaktara Dasa Bhagavatha’, a music CD by Shashikala Kadri, senior poet and former corporator was released by Pushparaj Jain.

L Sridar Bhat, president of Mangala Seva Trust, Krishnamurthy, zonal secretary of VHP, Jagadish Shenava, Sharan Pumpwell among others were present.