Festive cheer grips coastal Karnataka ahead of grand Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru/Udupi, Aug 27, 2025: The coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi came alive with festive cheer on Tuesday as people crowded markets to buy flowers, fruits, and sugarcane ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi. However, afternoon showers in some areas slowed the shopping rush.

Public Ganesh Chaturthi preparations are underway across the region, with pandals decorated and idols being installed. While some idols arrived on Tuesday evening, many will be installed on Wednesday morning with rituals, prayers, and cultural programmes. Several temples also marked the traditional Thene Habba on Tuesday.

 

In Udupi district, 486 public celebrations are planned, of which 77 have been classified as sensitive, three as highly sensitive, and 406 as normal. Security has been tightened in towns and villages including Udupi city (27), Manipal (18), Malpe (19), Brahmavar (47), Kota (43), Kundapura (34), Shankaranarayana (31), Byndoor (47), Gangolli (31), Kollur (13), Padubidri (14), Shirva (14), Kapu (16), Karkala (28), Hebri (21), among others. District Armed Reserve and State Reserve Police have been deployed, with extra personnel on duty for idol immersion.

In Dakshina Kannada, 398 public celebrations will be held under the Mangaluru Police Commissionerate and district limits. Within the Commissionerate, 172 pandals have been set up in areas including Panambur (7), Kavoor (15), Bajpe (11), Surathkal (14), Mulki (19), Moodbidri (29), Mangaluru Rural (11), Kankanady Town (6), Ullal (10), Konaje (8), and others.

In the district police limits, 226 celebrations are scheduled across Bantwal Town (12), Bantwal Rural (15), Vitla (20), Belthangady (25), Dharmasthala (22), Punjalakatte (7), Venur (20), Puttur Town (15), Puttur Rural (17), Uppinangady (17), Kadaba (13), Sullia (15), Subrahmanya (10), and Bellare (18).

Police chiefs have assured tight security, with officers and personnel briefed to ensure peaceful and safe festivities.