Mangaluru Dasara Mahotsava inaugurated at Gokarnanath Temple
Mangaluru: The grand annual ‘Mangaluru Dasara Mahotsava’ was inaugurated at Shri Gokarnanath Temple in Kudroli on Thursday by former Union Minister B. Janardhan Poojary. The event marks the beginning of the vibrant Dasara celebrations in the city.
As part of the traditional rituals, devotees carried the specially adorned idol of Goddess Sharada in a ceremonial procession around the temple premises before installing it in the main hall for worship. In addition to the Sharada, the idols of Mahaganapathi and the nine forms of Durga were also installed for special prayers and offerings during the festival, which will continue until October 13.
The inaugural ceremony featured a performance by the renowned tiger dancers, a highlight of the Kudroli festivities. The temple was decorated for the occasion, and lighting arrangements, along with other festive decorations, have been set up across the city by devotees to celebrate Mangaluru Dasara.
The celebrations will culminate on the evening of Sunday, October 13, with a grand procession of the idols through the streets of Mangaluru, marking the conclusion of the Mahotsava.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
