Curtains down on Dasara fervour in coastal belt

The Dasara/Navararti celebrations, which got under way in the coastal belt since October 11, ended on Wednesday, October 21, with thousands of people taking part in the Vijayadashami processions and car festivals at different temples.

The processions of Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple and Mangaladevi temple in Mangaluru and Mahalakshmi Temple at Uchchila in Udupi district attracted huge crowd.

The mood was upbeat and it was festive atmosphere all over as tableaux, drummers, dancers, and “huli vesha” (tiger dance) troupes joined the processions showcasing the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the coastal belt.

The Dasara procession of Gokarnanatha temple which began at about 4 p.m. on Wednesday went on all night.

Over the 10-day period, thousands of people thronged the devi temples in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, including Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple, Bappanadu Durgaparameshwari temple, Polali Rajarajeshwari temple, Sasihitlu Bhagavathi temple, Kodyadkka Annapoorneshwari temple, Mangaladevi temple, Urwa Mariyamma temple; and Kolluru Mookambika temple, Neelavara and Kadiyali Mahishamardini temples, Uchchila Mahalakshmi temple, Kaup Mariyamma temple, Mundkuru Durgaparameshwari temple and devi temples in Mandarthi, Kamalashile, Ambalpady, Kunjarugiri and Belman.

The car festival of Mangaladevi Temple attracted a large number of people with the chariot being pulled by hundreds of devotees. The car festival at Kolluru Mookambika Temple witnessed participation of many from Keralam.

The temples and roads leading to them were illuminated elevating the mood. Temples had organised cultural programmes. Footfall of tourists to beaches, especially Tannirbavi and Panambur in Mangaluru and Malpe in Udupi, increased due to holiday season.

Mass feeding was held at all devi temples, and many other temples during the festival. Vegetable suppliers and flower merchants made brisk business. There was a huge demand for vegetables, flowers from temples for mass feeding and decorations.

On the other hand, tourist operators too made a brisk business and lodges and hotels had increased business.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who visited Mahalakshmi Temple at Uchhila, Gokarnanatha and Venkatramana Temples in Mangaluru on October 15, said Dasara united people of all communities and faiths.