Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Sep 30: The nine-day long Mangaluru Dasara or Navaratri drew to a magnificent end on Saturday September 30 with a grand procession that began from Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple here.

The procession started with rituals held in the temple in the presence of senior Congress leader B Janardhana Poojary along with other office-bearers of the temple committee. MLA J R Lobo and MLC Ivan D'Souza were also present to witness the concluding procession of Mangaluru Dasara.

Idols of Navadurga (nine divine forms of Goddess Durga — Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kalaratri, Mahagouri, and Siddidatri), Goddess Sharadha and Lord Ganapathy were carried in a vibrant procession with bands and huli vesha adding colour to the festivities. Devotees thronged in large numbers to be the part of the procession.

Tableaux of Ballalbagh Friends, Barke Friends, large decorative umbrellas and music bands, chende sets, and dollu kunitha lit up the procession.

The procession began from Kudroli temple and proceeded towards Mannagudda, Ladyhill, Lalbagh, PVS, Car Street, and will culminate at Kudroli temple.

The idols will be immersed at Kudroli Pushkarini pond inside the temple on Sunday October 1 morning.

Security has been tightened to avoid untoward incidents along the procession route.