Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi

Mangaluru/Udupi, Apr 20: Tourist destinations and religious centres across the coastal region were crowded with visitors owing to school holidays and a continuous two-day weekend break.

As Sunday also coincided with Akshaya Tritiya, the number of auspicious functions increased, resulting in higher-than-usual vehicular movement.

With Monday declared a government holiday on account of Basava Jayanti, those who also took leave on Saturday effectively enjoyed a three-day long break. Many people planned their holidays accordingly and set out on trips with their families. The influx of tourists arriving in private vehicles led to traffic congestion at several places.

There was a significant surge in devotees at Kukke Subrahmanya, Dharmasthala Manjunatha temple, Kateel Durga Parameshwari temple, which is currently in the midst of its fair festivities, Polali, Bappanadu, Kaup, Uchila, Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, Mandarthi Durga Parameshwari temple, Anegudde temple, and Kollur Mookambika temple. Devotees had to stand in long queues for darshan, and a similar rush is expected on Monday as well.

While tourists visited temples in large numbers during the morning hours, they thronged beaches in the evening. From Ullal to Byndoor Someshwara, beaches were packed with visitors during the evening. Police personnel had a tough time managing crowds at Panambur, Kaup, and Malpe beaches. Tourists also faced difficulties due to lack of parking space for vehicles.