Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay visited the Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple in Udupi district on Friday, offering prayers during his first official visit to Karnataka since assuming office. Vijay, who arrived in Mangaluru from New Delhi on a special flight, was received by state officials and local representatives before proceeding under heavy security arrangements to Kollur. His visit drew significant public attention, with large crowds gathering along the route and outside the temple premises to catch a glimpse of the Chief Minister.

Supporters reportedly raised slogans in his favour, while some fans climbed trees and nearby structures despite heavy rain in an attempt to view his convoy. The unexpected surge in crowd density prompted authorities to deploy additional security personnel in and around the temple complex. To manage the situation, the Udupi district police intensified crowd-control measures and resorted to mild lathi charge in certain areas to disperse the gathering. Officials stated that the steps were taken to ensure the safety of devotees and maintain order during the high-profile visit.

Despite the heightened security arrangements and crowd movement, temple authorities confirmed that there was no reduction in overall darshan time for regular devotees. However, the temple’s usual afternoon closure schedule was adjusted on Friday, with the closure period shifted to accommodate the Chief Minister’s visit. As a result, instead of the standard closure between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm, the temple remained closed from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Officials said the change was made to facilitate smooth movement and ensure security protocols were properly implemented during the visit.

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Earlier in the day, Vijay landed at Mangaluru International Airport around 1:30 pm after a delayed arrival from New Delhi. He was escorted by a high-security convoy and received by state officials, including Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar and district administration representatives. A ceremonial welcome was also extended, during which officials presented him with a book on Swami Vivekananda. Authorities maintained strict coordination between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu police forces throughout the visit, given the expected public turnout and the Chief Minister’s movement across districts.

Officials stated that the arrangements were aimed at ensuring both security and minimal disruption to temple activities. The visit marks a notable political and symbolic moment, as Vijay becomes the third Tamil Nadu Chief Minister—after the late M. G. Ramachandran and the late J. Jayalalithaa—to offer prayers at the Kollur Mookambika Temple while in office, underscoring the temple’s longstanding significance for leaders and devotees alike.

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