Mangaluru, September 9: Former union minister and senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary who is instrumental in renovating the Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple, said that as usual, the Mangaluru Dasara festival, being held from the Gokarnanatheshwara temple would start from Oct 10 and end on Oct 19.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, he said that it was expected that Deputy Chief Minister Dr G. Parameshwar would inaugurate the festival. On October 10, the idols of Nava Durge and goddess Sharada would be installed to begin the festivities. On October 19, Dasara celebration procession would be held. His son Santosh Poojary has been giving Rs 10 lakh for Mangaluru Dasara every year and this year also, he would give Rs 10 lakh and his younger son Deepak Poojary would give Rs 3 lakh. Many donors would also donate the amount to celebrate the festival in a grand manner, he said.

Kudroli temple was not restricted to any one community or religion. In fact, Muslims, Christians, Jains and others would also visit the temple and offer pooja and prayers. He had never asked funds from the government for the Dasara festival and this time also, he would not ask the funds. Without government’s funds, the celebration would be conducted in a grand manner, he said.

More tableaux

Last year, total 68 tableaux were participated in the Dasara procession. But this time, more tableaux were expected. Many organizations have approached the organizers and expressed their willingness to do more tableaux. Priority would be given to the tableaux which display the culture of the country, he said.

Leaders Harikrishna Bantwal, Urmila Ramesh Kumar, H.S Sairam, Devendra Poojary, Padmaraj, D.D Kattemar, Shekar Poojary, Chittaranjan and others were present.



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Kozhikode (PTI): Violence erupted overnight at various places across Kerala, particularly in northern districts, following the announcement of local body election results, police said.

In Eramala in Kozhikode district, tension prevailed throughout the night after the Indira Gandhi Bhavan, a Congress office, was allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers.

According to an FIR registered at Edachery police station, around 200 people marched towards the Congress office carrying dangerous weapons and vandalised the building, causing damage estimated at around Rs five lakh.

A statue of late prime minister Indira Gandhi was also damaged in the attack, police said. Soon after, UDF activists gathered at the spot, further aggravating the situation.

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However, with the deployment of additional police personnel, the situation was brought under control, an officer said.

Police said another violent incident was reported at Marad, where stones were allegedly pelted at a UDF victory procession, leaving several persons injured.

In Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district, police registered a case after a car carrying a UDF activist and his family members was allegedly attacked by around 40 CPI(M) workers, an official said.

Sultan Bathery police also booked UDF activists in a separate incident for allegedly attacking a CPI(M) worker who objected to the bursting of crackers near his house, the officer said.

In Panoor in Kannur district, houses of several Muslim League activists were allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers. Vehicles parked at the houses were also damaged.

According to Panoor police, the violence broke out after a UDF victory rally was allegedly stopped by CPI(M) workers armed with swords and daggers. Some UDF leaders sustained injuries in the clash.

Clashes were also reported between UDF and LDF workers at Ulikkal in Kannur district, though police intervention brought the situation under control later in the night, an officer in the Ulikkal police station said.

In Bedakom in Kasaragod district, an LDF victory march turned violent after CPI(M) activists allegedly intercepted UDF workers passing through the area. Some policemen who intervened suffered minor injuries, an officer said.

Similar violence was reported from Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district following clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers. Police said workers from both sides sustained minor injuries and were admitted to hospitals. Cases will be registered after formal complaints are received, police said.