City celebrates Ayudha Pooja with pomp and gaiety

October 5, 2011

Mangalore, October 5: The coastal city of Mangalore, which is gearing up for a grand Dasara procession, celebrated Ayudha Pooja with traditional piety on Wednesday, the ninth day of Navaratri.

All types of vehicles including bicycles were out on the streets after grand water wash and decorated with flowers and frills.

Members of Hindu community worshipped the tools, vehicles, electrical appliances or instruments that are used in their occupation.

All the implements that are part of one's occupation, such as machines, vehicles, tools etc. were cleaned properly, polished and decorated. They were smeared with sandalwood paste (tilaka) and turmeric paste. Flowers were offered. They were worshipped along with the deities or images of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati. This worship was an expression of gratitude to divine force for helping to earn, according to their belief. It was also a prayer and a request for successful execution of duties in the coming year.

Apart from business establishments, shops and petty vendors, many government officials and police officers too spruced up their work premises and bedecked them with fresh flowers, banana leaves, plantain saplings and other festival related festoons.

Most government offices and establishments including Mangalore City Corporation performed Ayodha Pooja on Tuesday evening as government employees are enjoying a holiday at their homes on Thursday.

During the Ayudha Pooja offered to the rifles and other armaments usually handled by the armed forces to guard citizenry, Inspector General of Police Alok Mohan, Commissioner of Mangalore City Police Seemanth Kumar Singh, and Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Labu Ram were present.

Police vehicles looked clean and gleaming, decorated with flowers, and the police forces were beaming in happiness as there was peace and prosperity everywhere in the city. There were no untoward accidents or incidents, but only expressions of joy in police lines and among police officers this morning.

There was brisk sale of pumpkins and corns needed for the Ayudha Pooja. Temples observed Saraswathi pooja, which falls on the ninth day of the Navarathri festival.

Meanwhile political leaders and representatives of coastal districts have greeted the people of the state.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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Udupi: Hindutva activist arrested for allegedly raping young woman while out on bail

News Network

December 1,2025

Udupi, Dec 1: A horrific case of alleged rape has unfolded in Udupi, where a worker from a Hindutva organisation, previously arrested and released on bail for harassing a young woman, is now accused of waylaying and sexually assaulting her.

The arrested individual has been identified as Pradeep Poojary (26), a member of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike's Nairkode unit in Perdur.

Poojary had allegedly been relentlessly harassing the young woman, pressuring her to marry him. When she bravely stood up to him and refused his demands, she filed a formal complaint at the Hiriyadka police station. He was subsequently arrested in that initial harassment case but was later granted bail.

According to police reports, driven by the same malicious grudge, Poojary allegedly intercepted the woman again on November 29. While she was walking through a deserted area, the accused is claimed to have threatened her by grabbing her neck. When she again refused to marry him, he allegedly proceeded to rape her.

The survivor immediately informed her family about the traumatic assault. Following this, her parents lodged a complaint at the Udupi women’s police station.

Police arrested Poojary again and produced him before the court. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

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