Rayyan Syed and Shanthi S Rao K

Mangaluru, Oct 19: Mangaluru is famous for its Dasara celebrations and thousands visit the Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara temple during Navaratri to view the idols of Navadurgas. Each idol is intricately crafted, and the detailing and the beauty gains attention and admiration from the devotees.

This year, the man behind the beautiful Devi idols displayed at Kudroli temple is 28-year old Kubera. The B Com graduate was very passionate about art, and used to practice painting and sculpture as a hobby while pursuing studies. However, he has now turned his passion into profession.

Kubera says he is a self-taught artist. The nine idols of the Devis as well as the Ganesha idol displayed at the Kudroli temple are crafted by him. Kubera says he draws inspiration from nature to create the Devis. Growing up, he would always admire the idols of Lord Ganesha displayed during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. So those idols have also inspired him. Whenever competitions were held in schools, he would participate in idol making competitions.

Kubera and his team create the structure of the Devi idols before Ganesh Chaturthi. Three days after Chaturthi is over, they start work on the Nava Durga idols as till then, making Lord Ganesha idols keep them busy. They make all the idols using clay and use eco-friendly paint. The time taken to mould and paint all the idols is about 35 - 40 days. “Around 15 members are required to finish the idols in time. Most of the sculptors are professionals but some are also part-time workers. Those who make the idols also paint them,” says Kubera who adds that he works for other temples too, but during Dasara, he dedicates his time only for Kudroli temple.

Each idol is intricately sculpted and adorned in makeup, heavy jewellery, a crown, flowers, garlands and draped in silk sarees. They are 6-7 feet in height. To distinguish between the goddesses, a unique prop is placed in their hands.

Navadurgas

According to Hindu mythology, Navadurga literally means the manifestation of Durga in nine different forms. Goddess Durga, the mother goddess is a form of Shakthi manifesting herself, as Mahalaxmi, Maha Saraswathi and Mahakali. These three forms are evolved from the Trimurtis - Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. Three forms of Durga further manifested in three more forms each and thus emerged the nine forms of Durga called Navadurga. To worship these nine Devis, Navaratri is celebrated.

Devi Shailaputri - The Goddess celebrated on the first night of Navaratri is Shailaputri. Her name literally means daughter of the mountain. She is commonly referred to as Sati and is honoured as the Goddess of nature. Sati, insulted by her father for not being included with Shiva to attend his yajna, threw herself into the sacred fire. She was later reborn as Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas.

Devi Brahmacharini - The second day of Navaratri honours Brahmacharini. She is most commonly worshipped as Parvati, the consort of Shiva, who found that her destiny was to be the wife of Lord Shiva. Since Lord Shiva is known for meditation, she too decided to perform a penance. While she struggled at first, she was eventually successful. Lord Shiva noticed her dedication and made her his wife and named her Brahmacharini. She is worshipped during Navaratri for knowledge and determination.

Devi Chandraghantha - The third day is dedicated to Chandraghantha. As a form of Durga, she is the symbol overcoming physical and mental sufferings. She is also a representation of peace and serenity. However, like Durga, if provoked, she will destroy demons to maintain peace within the world.

Devi Kushmanda - On the fourth day, the Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped. As another form of Durga, she is most commonly known for her contribution to the creation of the universe. One of the creation stories within Hinduism is that Kushmanda created the cosmic egg with her smile. Her radiance is so great, she gives the Sun its brightness.

Devi Skandamata - The fifth day celebrates Skandamata. An avatar of Parvati, she is worshipped for wisdom and is said to purify the hearts of her devotees. She is also known as the “Goddess of Fire.” When depicted, she has her son, Skanda, in her lap. Devotees that worship her are also said to receive his blessings as well.

Devi Katyayani - The sixth day of Navaratri is dedicated to Katyayani. A form of Durga, she is worshipped by both men and women for marriage. It is said that women who worship her will be married to the man they desire. Katyayani is most well-known as the one who slew the demon, Mahishasura.

Devi Kaalratri - The seventh day honours Kaalratri. Another form of Durga, she is considered to be the most violent. She is said to remove ignorance as well as darkness in the lives of her devotees. Many devotees also worship her to remove their worries. She is also associated with the dark side of nature and is responsible for the nature-related destruction.

Devi Mahagauri - Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. Devotees worship her as the remover of all sufferings in life. This form of Parvati was created when Lord Shiva decided to marry Parvati and used water from the sacred Ganga to clean the dirt from her skin. Due to her fair complexion, she was named Mahagauri, literally meaning white.

Devi Siddhidatri - On the final and ninth day of Navaratri, Siddhidatri is worshipped. An avatar of Durga, she is the remover of ignorance and has the ability to show her devotees the realization of the divine or Brahman. Her divinity is so great that even Gods worship her for blessings.

Mangaluru Dasara

Navaratri festival in Mangaluru is celebrated with all grandeur. This 10-day festival is popularly celebrated in Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple. A colourful procession is held on the Vijayadashami day carrying the idols of Goddess Sharada, Mahaganapati and Navadurgas, accompanied by music, drums, bands, dances, tableaus, and characters of Yakshagana, Dollu Kunitha, Tiger dance and several art forms. Thousands of devotees from all over the country and abroad, take part in the festival with great enthusiasm.

Before the installation of the idols, a pooja is conducted and later the idols are placed in a special hall for the public to admire. On Vijayadashami, the trucks carry colourful tableaus, some displaying mythological themes and some modern topics and are the highlight of the main procession. It has been a tradition of the temple committee to award the best tableaux to encourage all tableaus to take part in Mangaluru Dasara event. The tableaus begin their procession on the last night of Dasara and end early in the morning, the next day. At the temple, there is a Ganga water pond, so after the nine Devis are paraded around the city in a pomp procession, the idols will be submerged into the pond.

After Dasara, Kubera goes back to working on his modern art. He teaches art and craft work to children and the art of idol making to those who are interested. He does not charge for his teaching services but only for the craft materials. He also competes in many art competitions in his free time. In future he plans to learn more about art and teach others the same.