Pics: Daya Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 20: The Mangaluru Dasara procession which began from Kudroli Lord Gokarnanatha temple here at 4 pm on Friday October 19 culminated with the immersion of all the idols at the temple pond at around 8 am on Saturday October 20. Although the temple authorities had planned to end the procession at 4 am, there was some delay.

The procession, carrying the idols of the goddess in nine different forms as well that of goddess Sharada, Aadi Shakthi and Lord Ganapathi, was accompanied by various vehicles carrying tiger dancers, performers, etc. Art forms like Dollu Kunita, drummers and others added to the grandeur of the procession.

Various performances had been lined up for the occasion both the temple and stages erected at Lalbhag and Ballalbagh junctions. A large number of tableaux accompanied the procession which moved through the pre-determined path, and all the streets it passed through were lined up by people on both the sides. 

A huge crowd of over a lac people assembled to witness this once-a-year event. City buses had been arranged at night for the people to go back home.  Although there was apprehension of rainfall, the rain god had mercy on the enthusiastic people who took their places by the roadsides or on the buildings en route the nine kilometres long procession.