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Goodudeepa Festival 2025 at Kudroli — Mangalore’s Lantern Magic
During Diwali, the coastal Mangalore city changes to concentrate on the Festival of Lights. While other big cities in India celebrate Diwali with large-scale fireworks and diyas, Mangalore celebrates more traditionally and calmly with Goodudeepa. Goodudeepa is a festival that focuses on lanterns and celebrates the artistry and devotion of the region and the area.
The heart of the region is one of the most iconic landmarks of Mangalore, which is Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple. Here, during Goodudeep, thousands of temple lanterns and lamps of all shapes and sizes are magnificently arranged and placed in the temple grounds and surrounding area. It becomes a magical and magnificent sight in the lanterns and lamps.
A Festival That Blends Light, Art, and Faith
The Goodudeepa Festival, also referred to by locals as Goodu Deepa Pantha, is celebrated on the night before Deepavali. It is not merely a ritual, but a festival where creativity, spirituality, and a strong sense of belonging come together. Locals as well as travelers assemble in large numbers as performers parade lanterns of every shape, size, and design, varying from simple clay lamps to large-scale replicas of temples, boats, animals, and even contemporary landmarks.
In 2025, the festival is expected to be grander than ever before. Competitions will be held in traditional, modern, and replica categories, each encouraging participants to craft Goodudeepas using eco-friendly materials. Cultural performances, devotional music, and folk dances accompany the lantern displays, adding rhythm and color to the glowing ambiance. As evening descends, the entire temple complex glows not just with lights but with emotion, creativity, and community spirit.
Have a glimpse of the 2024 Goodudeepa Competition Winner: Know More.
This year, the Goodudeepa Competition will take place on 19th October 2025, marking the eve of Diwali with its spectacular lantern displays at Kudroli Temple.
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Why is Kudroli Temple the Heart of the Festivity?
Kudroli Temple is not only an architecturally important site and a spiritual landmark in Mangalore, but it has also evolved into the focal point for Goodudeepa over the years. During the festival, the temple grounds are alive with artisans who are lighting, arranging, and competing with their lanterns. The Goodudeepa competition, also known as “Goodu Deepa Pantha,” typically takes place right within the temple grounds on the eve of Deepavali.
This means that if you stay in the vicinity, you will have front-row access to this magnificent spectacle.
The temple is already deeply intertwined with the cultural fabric of the city, and it takes center stage during the Mangaluru Dasara processions, Navaratri festivities, and other significant celebrations in the coastal region.
For those visiting Mangalore during the Goodudeepa Festival, lodging in proximity to Kudroli Temple enhances the overall experience significantly. Hotel Shoolin Grand, located approximately 2.4 km away, presents an ideal accommodation for festival attendees, offering comfort, elegance, and mere minutes from the illuminated temple streets.
Further away, Hotel Shoolin Comforts at Kavoor Junction (roughly 7.5 km from Kudroli) serves as a serene haven following the festivities, striking a balance between convenience and tranquillity.
Celebrate Diwali with Your Family and Friends at Shoolin Palace
This Diwali, take a short break from the noise of city life and celebrate the long weekend (October 18 – 23, 2025) with your loved ones at Shoolin Palace, a peaceful hideaway near Airport Road, Mangalore. Located about ten kilometers from Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, it’s perfectly placed — close enough to feel the energy of the Goodudeepa Festival, yet far enough to enjoy quiet evenings with your family.
Step into premium amenities, airy bedrooms meant for rest after exploring the city. Sit around the living room and share laughter and tales, splash around in the swimming pool, or sip evening tea amidst the green garden. From a small gathering to a much-awaited family reunion, the venue becomes intimate and cozy.
Get to town a day in advance of Deepavali, and take up residence. Drive to Kudroli Temple as dusk falls. See the temple aglow with thousands of diyas and lanterns, listen to the chant and music ringing in the air, and feel the city spring to life in celebration. Upon your return, Shoolin Palace receives you with open arms — perhaps a celebratory dinner under string lights, perhaps simply the warmth of being together.
Spend the next morning exploring Mangalore’s beaches, markets, and temples, or simply relax by the poolside and soak in the festive calm. At Shoolin Palace, every corner invites connection — a place where Diwali becomes more than a festival; it becomes a shared memory of joy, rest, and family bonding.
A Day in the Life of a Goodudeepa Visitor
Start your morning with a coastal breakfast, perhaps a plate of Mangalore buns and filter coffee, before exploring the city’s other landmarks like Mangaladevi Temple, Panambur Beach. As the evening approaches, make your way to Kudroli Temple, where the festival reaches its peak.
The moment you enter the temple gates, you’ll be surrounded by glowing lanterns, crafted from bamboo, paper, and clay, each flickering gently in the evening breeze. The air buzzes with the sound of temple bells, devotional songs, and cheerful chatter. It’s a scene that embodies the spirit of Mangalore: vibrant, soulful, and deeply connected to its roots.
After taking in the glowing displays and local performances, head back to your hotel to unwind. Whether you’re staying at Shoolin Grand, Shoolin Comforts, or Shoolin Palace, the warmth of hospitality continues, from festive meals to cozy corners where you can end the night in comfort.
Tips for Goodudeepa 2025 Visitors
- Book early: The nights around Diwali are in high demand. Hotels close to Kudroli will fill up first.
- Evening transport: Traffic may be heavy during festival nights. Staying closer (e.g., at Shoolin Grand) can save you time.
- Lantern workshops: Ask the hotels whether they can host or coordinate lantern-making sessions for guests.
- Walkable nights: If you enjoy strolling, staying close gives you freedom to wander decorated lanes after temple timings.
- Cultural fusion: Don’t miss music, folk performances, and dance that accompany the Goodudeepa event. The temple grounds often host these.
The Goodudeepa Festival 2025 at Kudroli Temple offers a radiant experience, one that combines tradition with creativity. For those wishing to fully engage, staying at Shoolin Grand provides easy proximity. Shoolin Comforts strikes a perfect balance between accessibility and peace. Lastly, Shoolin Palace offers spacious elegance for your accommodation.
Whether you come with family or friends, this Diwali can transform into a cherished memory. Wandering along paths illuminated by lanterns, taking part in contests, enjoying temple chants and performances, and then returning to the comfort of your hotel to share laughter and joy. Celebrate Goodudeepa not just as a festival of lights, but as a collective journey and allow the Shoolin group to serve as your home while you discover and delight in the brilliance of the Goodudeepa festival.
📍 Distance:
- From Hotel Shoolin Grand: 3.1 km
- From Hotel Shoolin Comforts: 7.4 km
- From Shoolin Palace 10 km
