Navarathri celebrations begin in Mangalore, Udupi

September 26, 2014

Mangalore, Sep 25: With the ceremonious installation of Navadurga idols at the Gokarnanatheshwara temple in Kudroli, here on Thursday the Mangalore Dasara celebrations have commenced.

After offering pooja to Ganesha, the organising committee members carried the idols to the decorated hall and installed them. The idol of Sharada was taken out in a procession around the temple and was installed. The festival will culminate with a grand Dasara procession on October 4. Navarathri is also being celebrated with traditional fervour at Kateel Sri Durgaprameshwari temple, Mangaladevi temple and Bappanadu Durgaparameshwari temple.

The nine-day festival of Navarathri has begun with spiritual and religious fervour here at Kollur Sri Mookambika temple with the installation of'Kalasha' and'Ankura.' on Thursday.The Navarathri festival started in the morning with'Devatha Prarthana','Devanandi','Karmanga Sankalpa' and'Arghya Pooja', following which the'Kalasha Sthapane' and'Ankura Sthapane' rituals.'Ankura Sthapane' is a ritual, wherein seeds of cereals are sprinkled on the heaps of mud (Mrishchike) and the sprouts will be offered to the Goddess on the ninth day (Navami) of the festival.

Kalasha Sthapane was followed by'Japa' and'Parayana' rituals. The Goddess will be adorned with nine avatharas of Durga and will be offered prayers in the form of'Sapthasathi Paryana','Navakshari Japa''Shtha Rudrabhisheka','Mahapooje' and'Bali Pooje' everyday.

Kollur temple Chief Priest Sridhar Adiga said that'Suhasini Pooje' would be held every day. He said'Ranga Pooje' will held before'Navami' and'Rathothsava' is organised on Navami.'Chandika Homa' and'Ankura Arpane' will be performed on the ninth day.'Parayana Pooje' will also be held.

The'Vidyarambha' ritual will be held on Vijayadashami day, wherein parents bring their children to get their tongue inked with'Om' symbol using turmeric twig. Around 1800-2000 kids are expected to take part, the priest added.

The celebrations will culminate with'Navannaprashana' ceremony wherein the farmers will offer the paddy seeds to the Goddess followed by Goddess taken in palanquin to celebrate'Vijayothsava' covering one kilometer, which symbolises the end of nine day celebrations.Kundapur DySP C B Patil said that elaborate security arrangements have been made in Kollur for the smooth conduct of nine-day celebrations.

More than 100 police personnel with two PSI ranking officials have been deployed. The KSRTC will be running additional buses from Byndoor railway station to the temple premises.

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QR-code tips power Mangaluru's major drug bust: 25 arrested in 2 weeks

News Network

December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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