Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 11: The Dakshina Kannada district headquarters and its surrounding areas witnessed severe traffic congestion on Sunday, May 10 driven by the weekend holiday and a flurry of auspicious events. Major roads and popular tourist destinations across the city were jam-packed with vehicles and massive crowds.

The traffic movement was completely thrown out of gear at strategic locations, including Jyothi Circle, State Bank, Nanthoor, and Pumpwell junctions. With numerous wedding ceremonies scheduled across the city, vehicles were seen lined up for kilometres on National Highways 66 and 75. Traffic police personnel had a tough time managing the overwhelming vehicular density right from the early hours of the morning.

Seeking respite from the sweltering heat, tourists thronged the coastal belt in large numbers. Panambur Beach witnessed a massive influx of thousands of visitors, which led to a severe shortage of parking space. Tannirbhavi and Ullal beaches also drew a sea of people by the evening. Meanwhile, the rocky shores of Someshwara Beach became a hotspot for the youth eager to click photographs.

While many families spent their day at Kadri Park and Gandhi Park, the Pilikula Nisargadhama saw the arrival of hundreds of buses and private vehicles from neighbouring districts. Religious centers, including Kukke Subrahmanya, Dharmasthala, Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple, Mangaladevi Temple, and Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple, also witnessed a significant surge in the number of devotees owing to special weekend poojas and wedding ceremonies.