Mangaluru, 08 Oct (H.S.): The Kollur Mookambika Temple is preparing for its Navaratri festival, beginning on Sunday, October 11, with rituals, cultural programmes and additional arrangements for devotees arriving from different states.

The Pushpa Rathotsava, one of the principal ceremonies, will be held on October 20. At 8.45 a.m., the idol of the goddess will be placed on a chariot decorated with flowers and taken around the sanctum three times. A Chandika Yaga will precede the procession.

On Vijayadashami, October 21, the temple will open at 3 a.m., marking the start of Vidyarambham ceremonies, during which children are initiated into learning. The celebrations will conclude with the Vijaya Rathotsava that evening.

The festival schedule includes daily religious observances such as Shatarudrabhishekam, Maha Naivedyam, Mangalarati, Deeparadhana and Pradosha Puja. Chief priest and tantric Dr K. Ramachandra Adiga will preside over the rituals.

This year's observances include Ashtami on two days. Cultural programmes have been arranged across the festival period, alongside the temple's daily worship schedule.

The Mookambika Temple Trust has made additional arrangements to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. A medical team, including doctors, will camp at Kollur to provide assistance to devotees during the celebrations.

Additional police personnel and volunteers have been deployed to regulate crowds and guide visitors. The arrangements are intended to help manage movement around the temple as devotees gather for the major rituals and processions.

Special bus services have also begun from the Byndoor and Udupi areas to facilitate travel to Kollur. These services will support pilgrims visiting the temple during the festival season.

Hotels and commercial establishments in Kollur have made preparations for Navaratri, when the temple receives devotees from several states. Religious ceremonies, cultural events and the concluding Vijayadashami observances will form the main attractions of the celebrations, with preparations covering transport, accommodation, medical assistance and crowd management.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman