Mangaluru Dasara: The Common Man's Celebration

Mangaluru Dasara, led by the Kudroli Gokarnanatha temple, is a significant cultural festivity organized entirely by devotees and philanthropists without government support. It features unique Navadurga idol installations and processions that draw millions of visitors, marking it a major event comparable to Mysuru Dasara.

Despite Mysuru's Dasara festival capturing most of Karnataka's headlines, Mangaluru's coastal city has a compelling version of its own, driven by the Kudroli Gokarnanatha temple. The temple orchestrates the Dasara procession and installs Navadurga idols, injecting vibrant colors and a festive spirit into the celebrations.

Organizers estimate that more than five lakh people will participate in this year's procession, while 12 lakh visitors are expected at the temple during the Navratri festivities, numbers that rival Mysuru Dasara's crowds. Unlike Mysuru's royal patronage, Mangaluru Dasara thrives on the generous contributions from local devotees and philanthropists, according to Rajya Sabha member B Janardhana Poojary.

Poojary revealed that Kudroli Gokarnanatha temple, rooted in 1912 efforts by Billava community leader Sahukar Koragappa with support from social reformer Narayana Guru, has become a significant cultural center. Since 1991, the temple has uniquely consecrated the Navadurgas for the festival, featuring nine forms of Durga and a massive Sharada idol. The grand Vijayadashami procession at Navratri's end includes over 75 tableaux and 30 folk dance troupes, promising a night-long celebration filled with dazzling displays of light, color, and community spirit.

(With inputs from agencies.)