Mangaluru: It has been 50 years since the elders of ‘Balakara Sri Sharada Mahotsava Samithi’ started the tradition of keeping an idol of the Goddess of knowledge and education at their establishment in Chilimbi. Vijaya Dashami marks the day of immersion of the Sharada idol which is celebrated with fireworks, pili vesha tableaux and beats of chende and thaala.
For the past four days, the idol was kept in Sharada Niketan (abode of Sharada) building in Chilimbi where regular poojas were conducted throughout the day accompanied by Yakshagaana, folk songs and dance programmes in the evenings. The procession started on October 10, Monday and go on till 2 AM of Tuesday, October 11 where the idol will be immersed in Sultan Battery river. The Mahila Mandali (women’s group) serve the Goddess with their bhajans, poojas and cultural activities. The women also helped in organizing the four day long festivity with cultural programmes, making souveniers and other activities in service of the Goddess.
The route taken for the procession is Chilimbi – Urwa Store – Ashoknagar – Urwa Market – Sultan battery covering an approximate distance of four kilometers over eight hours with elaborate poojas every now and then. Traffic had been diverted accordingly by the Traffic Police and the procession secured by Law and Order Police.
The procession had four tableaux where two of them were pili veshas (tiger dance), one was a mythological story set up played by kids and the last one was carrying the Goddess. Three different bands played on the procession, a snare and bass troupe, two pili vesha instrument troupes, a temple musical troupe and an energetic dholu (local snare and bass instruments) and thaala (traditional cymbals) troupe swayed around so fast while playing energetic beats that the camera couldn’t capture them still.
About Sharada Niketan
50 years ago, a small group of Chilimbi locals thought about worshipping Goddess Sharada by performing the usual ritual of keeping the idol at a designated place, and then the tradition carried on. Over the years and receiving funding from volunteers, a building was constructed and several local developmental as well as community service activities took place from there.
As many as 60 people volunteer in this establishment, mainly the descendents of the elders who established the Chilimbi Sharada Niketan. Since then, the committee runs a primary school and conducts various skill development courses for women and children.
As a part of the 50th year anniversary, the committee members have launched a special magazine which contains poems and articles written by former and current members.
