Dasara is right around the corner! You can almost feel the excitement in the air!
Mysore is usually THE destination spot to celebrate Dasara, but if there is one place known for Dasara celebrations after Mysore, it is Mangalore. Mangalore, as a coastal town in Karnataka, has its own way of celebrating Dasara – from the Mangalore Dasara procession, the Mangalore Dasara tiger dance, to Mangalore speciality food.
The Mangalore Dasara festival events are organised by the Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara temple. The grandiosity and glory of Maha Shivarathri and Navaratri are among the primary events celebrated in this temple. If you’re in Mangalore during this festival, make sure to check out these famous attractions! If not, book a resort near Mangalore so you don’t miss out on any of the festival joy!
5 Key Attractions of Mangalore Dasara
Mangalore Dasara Procession
Mangalore Dasara features a grand procession known as Rathostsava (car festival) in which most of the city’s roads, including M.G. Road, K.S. Rao Road, and GHS Road, are decked out with lights and electric lanterns. Furthermore, the houses, shops, and hotels are also ornamented with beautiful grandiose decorations. The Rathotsava procession is bolstered by bands, Chende, folk dances, Yakshagana characters, Huli Vesha, Dollu Kunitha, and Dolls. It begins in the evening of Vijayadashami at Gokarnanatheshwara temple and concludes the next day, early in the morning, with the immersion of idols at the Pushkarini pond within the temple complex.
Mangalore Tiger Dance
The Royal Tiger Dance, also known as Pili Vesha in Tulu or Huli Vesha in Kannada, is a popular coastal Karnataka folk dance. Huli vesha’s significance is to honour the Goddess Sharada. During Navratri, it takes on a whole new dimension, with young male troops from all over Dakshina Kannada joining forces. These people, dressed as tigers and accompanied by drummers, roam the streets and houses, bringing them to life!
Dasara ‘Gombe’
Dasara Gombe (idols) have their own significance in Mangalore, just as they do in Mysore and Bangalore. Sharada Devi, Maha Ganapathi, Adi Shakti, and Navadurgas are the most important Dasara idols in Mangalore. Priests are supposed to install these idols at Swarna Kalamantapa by performing Vedic rituals and hymns, making them one of the many attractions to see in Mangalore during Dasara.
Kudroli Temples’ Gangavataranam
Another major draw of the Mangalore Dasara is the Gangavataranam at Kudroli temples. During the nine days of Navratri, the temple trust hosts Gangavataranam. A four 13-foot-tall colourful Shiva idols with a 100-foot-high water jet can be seen during this time. The allure is that as the water from all four sides reaches the peak, it forms the shape of Shivalinga. It is, indeed, a majestic sight to behold.
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The display of diversity
The key aspect that makes Mangalore Dasara unique is the people of all castes and creeds who gather to participate. Only 14 of the nearly 100 tableaus (mounted on 100 trucks) on various mythological themes belong to the temple, with the rest brought by various groups from different coastal districts; Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kasargod. This coming together of people to celebrate and enjoy Dasara makes it the highlight of true Mangalore Dasara.
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Besides these key attractions, during the time of Dasara, Mangalore’s specialty food is to die for! From carrot holige to Avalakki payasa to the chrimuri stalls! It is a once in a lifetime experience that you can’t pass up on. If you’re near Mangalore or are planning to visit Mangalore during Dasara, book your stay now at Raj SeaFront Beach Resort! For more information, contact us or visit our website!
