Dasara begins

The ten-day festivities of the Mangaluru Dasara, which had earned a name for itself over the years, began here today.
City police commissioner T R Suresh lit the lamp to mark the inauguration at the Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara temple.
The idol of goddess Sharadha Devi was taken in a processionand various rituals were performed before its installationhere.
Speaking after the inauguration, Suresh said Navaratri Mahotsava was always celebrated with grandeur in Dakshina Kannada district.
The police department had made foolproofsecurity arrangements to maintain law and order situationduring the ten-day festival, he said.
Wishing the people a happy Navaratri, he said the festival should be celebrated in accordance with our customs and tradition, understanding the true spirit of the festivities.