Mangaluru: Illuminated streets, colourful decorations and makeshift shops outside temples are setting the mood for Dasara in Mangaluru and Udupi, with shrines across the coastal districts putting the finishing touches to preparations for the Navaratri festivities beginning on Sunday.The celebrations are expected to draw thousands of devotees from across Karnataka and abroad for prayers, processions and cultural programmes.Mangaluru Dasara, a symbol of the coastal region’s religious and cultural heritage, will be celebrated from Oct 11 to 22 at Sri Gokarnanatha Temple, Kudroli. Its grand Durbar Hall will house idols of Sri Mahaganapathi, Sri Adishakthi, the Navadurgas and Sri Sharada, the goddess of wisdom. A series of spiritual and cultural programmes has also been planned. The celebrations will begin with the installation of idols at Kudroli Temple on Sunday. Chief minister DK Shivakumar will formally inaugurate Mangaluru Dasara at 6.30pm on Monday at the temple premises.The grand Dasara procession will be flagged off from the temple at 4pm on Oct 21. Several prominent temples across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are also preparing for the festivities. They include Mangaladevi Temple, Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple, Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Temple, Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple, Maroli Suryanarayana Temple, Bolar Sri Mariyamma Temple, Polali Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple, Hosanadu Kodyadka Sri Annapoorneshwari Temple, Bappanadu Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple, Sasihithlu Sri Bhagavathi Temple, Kudroli Sri Bhagavathi Temple, Chitrapura Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple and Sri Urwa Mariyamma Temple.The temples have lined up a range of activities, including ‘Muddu Sharade’ fancy dress competitions, ‘Kinni Pili’ (tiger cubs), a competition for children below 8, ‘Aksharabhyasa’ ceremonies for children, competitions, poets’ meets and cultural programmes.Navaratri celebrations at the historic Mahathobhara Sri Mangaladevi Temple will begin on Sunday.The Udupi-Uchila Dasara festival will be celebrated at Sri Kshetra Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in Udupi from Sunday to Oct 21 under the aegis of the Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Mahajana Sangha. Idols of the Navadurgas and Sri Sharada will be installed at the temple’s Darbar Mantapa. Chief minister DK Shivakumar will visit the temple on Monday, while a grand Dasara procession will be held on Oct 21.Tiger dance troupes and ‘Marnami Vesha’ performers are expected to add colour to the celebrations. The KSRTC Mangaluru division has commenced Dasara package tours from Mangaluru and Udupi bus stands to various religious destinations, with a good response. “On the first day, all 23 buses scheduled from Mangaluru were full. We are adding buses as seats fill up. The Mangaluru-Sigandur and Mangaluru-Kollur packages have received a good response,” said Rajesh Shetty, senior divisional controller, KSRTC Mangaluru division.BOX 1 | Key dates — Mangaluru DasaraOct 11: Installation of idols at Kudroli TempleOct 12, 6.30pm: Formal inauguration by CM DK ShivakumarOct 21, 4pm: Grand Dasara processionOct 22: Conclusion of Mangaluru Dasara celebrationsBOX 2 | Mangaladevi TempleOct 11: Navaratri celebrations beginOct 20: MahanavamiOct 21: Vijayadashami and MaharathotsavaOct 22: Avabhritha Mangala SnanaOct 23: SamprokshaneBOX 3 | Attractions this DasaraMuddu Sharade fancy dress competitionsKinni Pili’ (tiger cubs) competitionAksharabhyasa/Vidyarambha ceremonyPoets’ meets and cultural programmesTiger dance performancesMarnami VeshasDasara package tours from KSRTC Mangaluru and Udupi bus stands
