Mangaluru
Devotees and culture lovers are eagerly awaiting the grand Mangaluru Dasara and Navaratri Festival at the Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple, which will take place from today to October 2, 2025. The temple management, under treasurer Padmaraj R. Poojary and veteran leader B. Janardhan Poojary, has promised a colourful and spiritually meaningful festival blending tradition, art, and community.
Addressing a press conference here on Sunday leader of the temple Padmaraj Ramaiah said that the festival schedule features daily Vedic rituals — installation of idols (Mahaganapati, Adishakti, Sharada Mata, Navadurga), Ganahoma, Chandika Yaga — offering devotees opportunities for prayer, reflection and participation in time-honoured rites. Special efforts have been made to ensure that each ritual is conducted with dignity and devotion.
On the cultural front, competitions and performances are set to take centre stage. Children will particularly enjoy events such as “Kinnipili” — a tiger dance contest split by age groups (under four and four-to-eight), devotional song contests, painting and art events, and the beloved Muddu Sharade contest. The total prize purse for these is ₹1 lakh. Artists from all over Karnataka and neighbouring states will showcase Bharatanatyam, Yakshagana, folk arts, music recitals, Harikatha and veena recitals in each daily evening programme, Padmaraj said.
Also prominent this year is the plan to honour women achievers and social service organizations that have quietly contributed to the welfare of the community. Such recognition is expected to inspire active civic engagement.
Preparations are in full swing: the temple committee has arranged for infrastructure to accommodate large crowds, with parking zones, volunteers, public announcements, and logistics designed to ensure smooth flow of events. Organisers urge devotees to arrive early for poojas and follow the guidelines for the competitions. This Dasara at Kudroli promises not only devotional joy but also cultural richness—faith, art and social fellowship in full display.
