News and Pics by Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai (VA)

Mumbai, Feb 17: Sri Durgaparameshwari Kripaposhita Yakshagana Kalamitra Mandali celebrated its 43rd anniversary by holding a grand Rathotsava at Sakinaka here recently.

Gana homa, Satyanarayana puja, mahapuja, annasantarpane were also conducted at Durga Parameshwari temple under the leadership of S N Udupa, executive president of the Mandali.

Thousands of Tulu-Kannadiga devotees took part in the Rathotsava which reflected the Tulunadu tradition through the enactment of scenes from Yakshagana, Kola, Bhoota darshana and so on. The entire Sakinaka area seemed like a mini Tulunadu. The people who had gathered in large numbers to witness the grand Rathotsava on both sides of the road along the route of the procession were delighted at the sight of the grandeur and verity of presentation from the Tulunadu.

During the night, the children of the Mandali members presented cultual programmes. Later, the members performed Yakshagana. The yearly award in memory of late Devdatta Bhuvaji was presented to Kamalaksha Moily, chief priest of Durgaparaeshwari temple. Besides Govinda Shetty and Narayana Bangera, proficient artists of the Mandali were honoured during the occasion.

Mandali youth president, Sudhakar G Poojary, honorary secretary, Nityaprakash N Shetty, president of the Puja Samithi, Mohan Gujaran and secretary and Balachandra Shetty among others strived to make the programme a grand success.