Kollur (Karnataka): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay visited the renowned Kollur Mookambika Temple in Karnataka’s Udupi district on Friday and offered prayers to Goddess Mookambika. During his visit, the Chief Minister donated a silver sword weighing 1.6 kilograms to the temple.
Vijay arrived at Mangaluru International Airport from New Delhi and proceeded directly to Kollur. After reaching the temple guest house and changing into traditional attire, he visited the shrine dressed in a red shalya and offered prayers to the presiding deity.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister received a warm traditional welcome from temple authorities, who accorded him a Poornakumbha Swagata. A sacred thread was also tied to his wrist as part of the customary reception.
A large number of devotees and fans gathered outside the temple to catch a glimpse of the popular leader. Despite light drizzles, Vijay briefly greeted his supporters before entering the temple premises, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
Speaking to reporters, Kollur Mookambika Temple President Babu Hegde said the Chief Minister spent around 20 minutes at the temple. He noted that Vijay donated a silver sword to the temple and offered prayers like any other devotee.
“There was no special sankalpa. He stood before the sanctum sanctorum, prayed, and left after spending about 20 minutes in the temple,” Hegde said, adding that elaborate security arrangements had been made for the visit.
Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader, along with district officials, received Vijay at the airport and presented him with a book as a gesture of welcome.
Security was significantly tightened at Mangaluru International Airport and along the 125-kilometre route to Kollur. Police personnel from both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were deployed to ensure smooth movement and crowd management. The Chief Minister, who enjoys Z-category security cover, was accompanied by a close protection team that included senior Tamil Nadu Police officials.
Authorities also imposed temporary restrictions on devotee entry into the temple during Vijay’s visit to facilitate security arrangements.
The visit holds significance as several former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers, including M.G. Ramachandran, Janaki Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, had visited the revered shrine after assuming office.
Located in Karnataka’s Udupi district, the Kollur Mookambika Temple is one of the most prominent Hindu pilgrimage centres in South India. The temple is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya and is dedicated to Goddess Mookambika, revered as a manifestation of Adi Shakti. The shrine is considered unique for symbolically representing the combined divine energies of Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati.
Joseph Vijay is scheduled to return to Chennai later in the evening on a special flight from Mangaluru.
