Mangaluru: It’s curtains down on the 96th annual Sarvajanika Shree Sharada Mahotsava of Car Street Venkatramana temple which is popularly known as Mangaluru Sharadotsava, on Saturday, October 20.
The immersion procession of Sharada idol is held every year on the next day of Vijaya Dashami. Hence, the idol of Goddess Sharada was taken out from the premises of Acharya Matt inside Lord Venkatramana temple complex in a grand manner on Saturday evening at around 6 PM. The idol of Goddess Sharada was decorated with jasmine and was seated in front of a specially decorated Prabhavali. Thousands of devotees had gathered on either side of the road to witness the procession.
The procession also featured several tableaux of tiger dance (Huliveshadharis) which will go through Sri Mahamaya Temple, Navabharath Circle, Canara School, Dongerkeri, New Chithra Theatre, Basavana Gudi, Lower Carstreet and culminate at Venkatramana temple. When the procession reaches Venkatramana temple again, all the teams of tiger dance are allowed to perform in front of the temple. After the dance exhibition, all teams will be awarded cash prizes. Meanwhile, the representatives of the police, fire department and district administration will be honoured on the same occasion for their cooperation.
The immersion of the idol will take place at the Mahamayi pond of Venkatramana temple on October 21, Sunday morning.
History of Mangaluru Sharadotsava
If Dasara Mahotsava at Kudroli Shri Gokarnanantha temple is popularly known as Mangaluru Dasara, the Navaratri fest of Venkatramana temple is known as Mangaluru Sharadotsava. It is the 96th annual Sarvajanika Shree Sharada Mahotsava of Car Street Venkatramana temple. While the idols of Nava Durgas are made separately in Kudroli temple, here in Venkatramana temple, the Goddess Sharada is presented in different Avatars (incarnations) every passing day. The idol of Sharada will be made by one Naveen Acharya every year.
During this Navaratri, various pujas and other services are offered to the Goddess. While the idol of Sharada is carried on an open truck in Kudroli temple during the immersion procession, here in Venkatramana temple, the idol of Sharada is carried by the devotees in a palanquin only.
