Karkal shrine festival begins with solemnity

[email protected] (Fr Francis Rodrigues, Raknno)

January 24, 2012

Mangalore, January 24: The three day festival of the renowned Shrine of St Lawrence in Attur- Karkal began on Tuesday January 24, with the first Mass at 9.30 a.m. that was celebrated by Fr Cincent Crasta of Manela Parish. Rev. Fr Arthur Pereira the Shrine director welcomed the devotees to the annual festival 2012.

'Let us enliven our faith, Let us build the church' is the theme of the annual shrine festival this year according to Fr Arthur Pereira the shrine director. As members of the church or as believers we need to keep our faith alive with spirit filled lives. The historical shrine of St Lawrence at Attur-Karkal fills the devotees with spirit of God and it helps them to live their faith life. The theme is chosen on the occasion of the post centenary silver jubilee of the establishment of the Diocese of Mangalore. St Lawrence shrine is a part of the said diocese.

Number of devotees from different corners of Karnataka and neighbouring states of south India have come into the Shrine. With great devotion they are partaking in the Holy Masses. The visitors are seen devoutly visiting the relic of St Lawrence, confessing their sins, and visiting the pool at the shrine and receiving flowers and holy water in the shrine. After every Mass there is a special prayer for the sick in Konkanni and Kannada languages. Number of priests are laying hands on the devotees and are praying for health and happiness of the devotees.

All together there are 29 Masses during the festival this year in Kannada and Konkanni languages. There will be 9 masses on the first day, 12 masses on the second day and 7 masses on the last day which is celebrated as the 'Guiding Mother Festival' (Giadh mayechi porob). The last mass would be at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday.

Very Rev. Fr Francis Serrao the Provincial of Karnataka Jesuit Province would be celebrating the special Mass in Kannada at 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday. Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore will be celebrating mass at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday.

The main festival Mass on Wednesday, January 25 will be celebrated by Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza the Bishop of Mangalore at 10.00 a.m. On Thursday, January 26 the festival Mass of 'Giyadh Mai' would be celebrated by Very Rev. Fr Henry Sequeira, the Chancellor of the diocese of Mangalore.

On Monday, January 24, there was a special Mass for the sick and special prayers for the sick by Fr Andrew D'Souza, the parish priest of St Lawrence Church, Bondel.

According to Fr Arthur Pereira the Shrine director the devotees come in lacks to this Shrine with different reasons. To be cured of the mental-physical sicknesses, to experience the quietness of prayer, to experience the peace amidst the number of tensions of life, to thank the Lord for the favours received, to receive the blessings from God etc and etc.

This year huge crowds are expected even on the third day being a public holiday.

Number of arrangements have been made systematically to cater to the needs of the devotees. The Director, Parish Vice President John D'Silva, local Panchayat Administration, police and administrative services, Attur parishioners, Karkala Deanery Catholic Sabha, diocesan as well as religious priests, sisters and lay leaders have joined hands to make the festival a great success.

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From malls to highways, Kannada signboards to be enforced in Dakshina Kannada

News Network

February 4,2026

Mangaluru: Urban local bodies and gram panchayats should make the use of Kannada on signboards mandatory while issuing trade licences to commercial establishments, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV said. He also called for regular inspections to ensure compliance.

Presiding over the District Kannada Awareness Committee meeting at the deputy commissioner’s office, Darshan said the city corporation would be directed to ensure that shops operating in malls prominently display their names in Kannada. “All commercial establishments, including shops, companies, offices and hotels, must mandatorily display their names in Kannada on signboards,” he said.

The deputy commissioner added that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would be instructed to include Kannada on signboards along national highways. Banks, he said, would be directed through committee meetings to provide application forms in Kannada.

“Even if English-medium schools and colleges impart education in English, their signboards must display the institution’s name in Kannada. Steps will also be taken to ensure that private buses display place names in Kannada,” Darshan said.

During the meeting, committee members raised concerns over the closure of Kannada-medium schools in rural areas due to a shortage of teachers and stressed the need for immediate corrective measures. They also pointed out that several industries employ workers from other states while overlooking local candidates.

Members further demanded that nationalised banks provide deposit and withdrawal slips in Kannada. It was brought to the deputy commissioner’s notice that the presence of staff without knowledge of Kannada in rural branches of nationalised banks is causing hardship to local customers.

Meanwhile, MP Srinath, president of the District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, urged the district administration to allot land for the construction of a district Kannada Bhavana in Mangaluru.

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