Mangaluru: The Mangaluru Dasara is the centre of attraction during the Navarathri festival. The Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple was built in the year 1912 by Sri Narayana Guru. Gokarnanatha is the other name for Lord Shiva. The temple is 2 km away from the centre of Mangalore city. The temple has a Gopuram (dome) decorated with murals of various gods and goddesses.The murals depict the scenes from Hindu epics and legends.
Watch the Grandeur of Mangaluru Dasara in NKtv’s this episode.
The Kudroli Temple Trust keeps the “Gangavatharana” (Ganges water flowing from the crown of Lord Shiva) in operation for all 9 days during the Navarathri. The depiction has 4 colourful idols of Shiva which are 13 feet high with jet of water rushing towards the sky to a height of 100 feet. As the water from four sides reach their pinnacle they take shape of a Shivalingam. Colour lights around the place add to the glory of the site.
Way back in the 18th century, the entry into the temples was banned for backward classes and the downtrodden. So the leaders and senior citizens of Billava community longing for equality on matters like these, gathered themselves and sought solace from the spiritual head of their community “Brahmashree Narayana Guru”, who had pioneered religious revolution in Kerala during those times of divine movement. He had proclaimed that every creation of God has a right to worship God and there is only “One Caste, One Religion and One God.” He built 101 temples all over Kerala and provided direct entry into the temple to each and everyone. The senior leaders of the community under the leadership of Sri Sahukar Koragappa went to plead with Guruji to extend the movement and his deeds to Mangalore as well. Shri Narayana Guruji consecrated the Shivalinga that he had brought to Kudroli temple at Mangalore and named it as “Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara” in the year 1912.
The temple combines the modern architecture with traditional science of sculpturing on the themes of Prateeka Sampradaya of Adhwaithamritha. Sculptors S K Achar and his son Dakshina Murthy undertook the modernisation work of this temple under the leadership of Janardhana Poojary, former union minister of state for finance, who is the architect of renovation and reconstruction of this glorious temple.
The temple has an entry porche of the elephant–Gajaraja and has an expanse of 2 lakh sq ft complete with marble flooring. Lakhs of pilgrims belonging to different castes, communities and religions come and offer prayers here. There are instances of many people who have been cured from different ailments by the grace of Lord Gokarnanatheshwara.
Also the well-known Mangalore Dasara celebration is famous for its sparkling procession. The citizens of Mangalore and thousands of devotees from various parts gather in the city to witness the grand finale of the Mangaluru Dasara on the day of Vijayadashami. People decorate their houses, shops and business establishments, hotels, etc. All the streets in the city are decorated with electric bulbs to welcome the procession.
At Mangalore Dasara procession, the idols of “Navadurgas” along with Mahaganapathi and Sharada will be carried, which are decked in flowers, decorative umbrellas, accompanied by tableau, bands, chende and traditional dances, folk dances, traditional music, Yakshagana characters, Dollu Kunitha, Gombe (dolls), Karaga, Hulivesha (Tiger Dance ) and other traditional art forms, adding sheen to the celebration.
