An idol of Goddess Sharade being installed at Sri Gokarnanatha Temple in Kudroli as part of Mangaluru Dasara celebrations on Sunday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Navaratri (Dasara) celebrations kick-started in the coastal belt on Sunday, with thousands of devotees thronging Devi temples across the districts.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar postponed his visit to Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple in Mangaluru and Uchchila Mahalakshmi Temple in Udupi district on Monday, where he was scheduled to inaugurate Dasara celebrations, owing to his visit to Delhi. He will be in Delhi on Monday to participate in the All India Congress Committee’s protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Apart from Kudroli and Uchchila temples, Mangaladevi temple in Mangaluru, Durgaparameshwari temples in Kateel, Bappanadu and Kamalashile, Mookambika Temple in Kolluru, Mahishamardini temple in Kadiyali and Neelavara and Polali Rajarajeshwari temple draw huge crowd during Navaratri festival.
Most temples serve food to devotees during the celebrations. Tiger dance, or huli vesha, is a major attraction of Dasara. The temples and roads leading to them have been illuminated, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Flower vendors and vegetable sellers are doing brisk business amid heavy demand during Navaratri. Tourist footfall at temples in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts has also increased due to holidays at educational institutions.
Published - October 11, 2026 08:38 pm IST