Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi (MS)

Mangaluru/Udupi, Dec 26: The Christmas holiday brought massive crowds to the temples and beaches of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. The influx was attributed to school excursions, visits by Lord Ayyappa pilgrims to holy places, and annual vacations of various employees.

In Dakshina Kannada, heavy traffic was reported at Kalladka, Pumpwell, Nantoor, Kulur, and Panambur. Similarly, in Udupi, chaotic scenes and traffic blocks lasting over an hour were frequent at Santhekatte and Kalsanka.

Devotees thronged major temples in Dakshina Kannada, including Kukke Sri Subramanya, Shree Kshethra Dharmasthala, Sautadka Sri Mahaganapati, Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari, Kadri Sri Manjunatha, and Mangaladevi temples. In Udupi, Sri Krishna Temple and Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple saw an overwhelming number of visitors. Thousands also flocked to Panambur and Malpe beaches.

At Kukke Sri Subramanya, devotees lined up for darshan in queues extending for hours, with some waiting for four days. The temple facilitated meals for the crowd at Shanmukha Prasada Bhojana Shale and Adisubramanya Bhojana Shale.

In Udupi, the influx of devotees and tourists has been continuous since early December. Key attractions include Udupi Sri Krishna Math, Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple, Mandarti Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple, and Ucchila Sri Mahalaxmi Temple. Beaches such as Malpe, Maravante, Kaup, Padubidri, Byndoor, and Someshwara were teeming with visitors, many from outstation districts.