The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Infant Jesus shrine feast draws to a close

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 15, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Infant Jesus shrine feast draws to a close

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: A large number of devotees thronged the Infant Jesus Shrine in Vivek Nagar on Sunday to take part in the festivities that marked the end of the 36th annual feast.

Governor T.N. Chaturvedi flagged off the decorated car that was taken in a procession around the shrine. People threw salt and pepper at the car, signifying an act of purification. A prayer was held later at the shrine. It was followed by lowering of the Infant Jesus flag to mark the end of the nine-day feast.

Mr. Chaturvedi asked the devotees to dedicate themselves to the cause of peace and harmony for the community and the nation. "Let the car procession mark the beginning of peace and harmony for the year," he said.

"God is the light of the world and this light has to be kept shining in our lives. Only the light of God can drive away the darkness of the heart and the mind," Archbishop Ignatius Paul Pinto said.

The nine-day event, which marks the setting up of the church in the city, began with unfurling of flag on January 4. Special masses were held in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and English from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the feast.

Devotees from across the country and from Sri Lanka and Malaysia took part in the festivities.

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