Gauri-Ganesha Festival Celebrated with Devotion

Madikeri, Sept. 15: Sri Vinayaka—the remover of obstacles, the dispeller of distress, the destroyer of sins, and the foremost among deities to be worshipped first—was worshipped with great devotion across the region. On the day of *Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi*, special prayers and rituals were offered at temples, including those dedicated to Lord Ganapati. Additionally, public installations of Gauri-Ganesha idols were organized by various temples and associations, accompanied by *Ganapati Homa* and special worship ceremonies. As part of the festivities, *bhajans* (devotional songs), cultural programs, and sports events were organized at various locations. *Prasada* and *Anna Santarpane* (community meals) were distributed to the gathered devotees.

Kote Ganapati

Special prayers were offered at the historic Sri Kote Mahaganapati Temple, located within the Fort premises of the district headquarters, Madikeri. From the morning itself, devotees stood in queues to offer prayers to Lord Ganapati, presenting offerings such as *Garike* grass, fruits, coconuts, and *Idugayi* (ritual breaking of coconuts). The Sri Omkareshwara Temple Management Committee facilitated the worship and prayers for the devotees, and the temple was beautifully decorated with flowers. Thousands of devotees participated in the worship. (Continued from page 1) Under the guidance of Santhosh Bhat—who is also a member of the temple committee—the priests performed the rituals. Temple committee president Chummi Devayya, Executive Officer Devaraju, and other members oversaw the proceedings.

Vijaya Vinayaka

Special rituals were also performed as part of the Gauri-Ganesha festival at the Sri Vijaya Vinayaka Temple in the city's Vijayanagar locality. The celebrations included special prayers, the ceremonial decoration of the deity, and a mass *Gana Homa*. The event concluded with the *Maha Mangalarati* and the distribution of *Prasada*. A large number of devotees participated and sought the blessings of Lord Vinayaka. The rituals were conducted under the leadership of the temple's chief priest, Srikrishna Upadhya, while the trustees, led by Trust President K.B. Poonacha, managed the arrangements.

Drishti Ganapathi

Additionally, special rituals were performed at the Drishti Ganapathi Temple in Kannandabane, Madikeri—the only temple of its kind in the state. The rituals were conducted under the guidance of temple priest Shailesh Shastri. Office-bearers and members, led by temple committee president K.S. Ramesh, made the necessary arrangements for the devotees. Additionally, Lord Ganesha was worshipped with special prayers and rituals at various temples across the city, including the Dechuru Sri Vidyaganapathi Rama Mandira, the Prasanna Ganapathi Temple in Hosa Badavane, the Sri Shakti Ganapathi Temple in Vidyanagara, and the Sri Kodanda Rama Temple in Mallikarjuna Nagara. Alongside this, Gauri-Ganesha festival idols were installed and worshipped in various neighborhoods of the city by temples and local organizations.

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