Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada: Under the aegis of Buntara Yane Nadavara Matru Sangha, the Bunts Sanghas of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kasaragod districts, along with Sri Siddhivinayak Pratishthan and Public Shri Ganeshotsava Samiti, the 19th annual Public Shri Ganeshotsava will be celebrated from August 27 to 29 at Omkara Nagar, Bunts Hostel, Mangalore. The festivities will include Tenehabba, Ashtottar Narikela Mahaganayaga, cultural programs, religious meetings, and processions.
Pre-festival rituals
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, a mass prayer will be held at the Radhakrishna Temple near Sharavu Temple at 4.00 pm. During this event, the idol of Shri Siddhivinayak, crafted by disciples of Shri Ramdas Acharya, will be ceremoniously brought to Omkara Nagar, Bunts Hostel, marking the beginning of the festival celebrations.
Festival inauguration and cultural programs
The official flag hoisting and inauguration of Ganeshotsava programs will take place on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 9.00 am. Alongside the inauguration, rice will be distributed to devotees and community members. From 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm, a religious meeting will honour achievers from various fields of society for their contributions. The day will culminate with ‘Lasya – 2025’, a national-level dance and cultural performance scheduled at 8.00 pm.
On Thursday, August 28, 2025, a second religious meeting will be held from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm, again recognising notable achievers in society. The evening will feature ‘Herambha Gajavadana’, a stage music and folk singing programme, beginning at 8.00 pm, promising an engaging cultural experience for attendees.
Ashtottara Sahasranarikela Mahaganayaga and procession
The concluding day of the festival, Friday, August 29, 2025, will witness the Ashtottara Sahasranarikela Mahaganayaga from 8.00 am to 11.30 am. This sacred ritual is performed for the welfare of the people. The festival procession will be flagged off at 3.30 pm by prominent dignitaries and will commence from Omkara Nagar. Devotees will accompany the procession with bhajan groups from across the district.
The procession route will pass through Bunt’s Hostel, P.V.S. Circle, New Chitra Talkies, Rathbeedi, and Venkataramana Temple Road before culminating in the immersion of the idol in the lake of Sri Mahamayi Temple. The organizers emphasised that the procession is a devotional and cultural celebration, inviting the public to participate in the festivities with enthusiasm and reverence.
Organizer Asha Jyoti Rai, during a press conference, highlighted that the festival seeks to promote religious devotion, cultural heritage, and community unity among the Bunts and the larger public.
Conclusion
The 19th annual Shri Ganeshotsava at Omkara Nagar promises three days of spiritual, cultural, and social activities, bringing together devotees, artists, and achievers from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kasaragod. The festival continues to uphold the traditions of devotion, cultural performances, and community celebrations in Mangalore.