Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi

Mangaluru/Udupi, Dec 15: A surge of devotees swept through major religious centres along Karnataka’s coast, including the famed Kukke Subrahmanya temple, following the ‘second Saturday and Sunday’ holiday break.

Kukke Subrahmanya witnessed an exceptional turnout on both Saturday and Sunday, with devotees thronging every corner of the temple town. The temple premises, outer precincts, dining halls, Rathabeedi (chariot street), bathing ghats and the bustling marketplace were packed throughout the day. Parking areas overflowed as vehicles lined up across designated spaces.

Accommodation facilities in and around the temple town were almost entirely full. With thousands of devotees arriving to seek darshan and perform rituals, the demand for services rose sharply. As a result, the highly sought-after Ashlesha Bali pooja was conducted in five batches beginning as early as 5 am.

The holiday rush extended beyond Kukke. Heavy crowds were reported on Sunday at prominent temples such as Mangaladevi, Polali and Kateel in Mangaluru, the Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi, and the Anegudde and Kollur temples. The ongoing season of school excursions further added to the influx, with students from various regions visiting these religious destinations.

The festive atmosphere carried into the evening, as Malpe Beach recorded a sizeable gathering of visitors by afternoon, reflecting the broader holiday surge across the coastal belt.