Mangaluru: Elaborate security and logistical arrangements are being put in place for the visit of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay to the renowned Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple on Friday.
District officials held a meeting with temple authorities on Thursday to review preparations for the visit.
As Vijay is under Z+ cover, all prescribed security protocols, including convoy security measures, will be in place. The Chief Minister has no scheduled public meetings or interactions during the visit. Necessary precautions have been taken and security rehearsals completed.
“Udupi District Police will be dealing with the entire bandobast. Around 40 personnel, including a DIG and an SP from the Tamil Nadu Police, will be part of the close protection group for the Chief Minister and will coordinate on security planning,” Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said.
According to the itinerary, Vijay will arrive at Mangaluru International Airport on a special flight at around 12.30 pm. He will then travel by road to Kollur, about 130 km away, for darshan at the Sri Mookambika Temple. After offering prayers there he will return to the airport and fly back to Chennai.
In view of the visit, tight security will be maintained along the Chief Minister’s route and in and around the temple premises. Police have appealed to the public not to gather along the VVIP convoy route, near temple entry gates or within the temple complex.
The Chief Minister’s visit is confined to offering prayers at the temple and no public programme has been scheduled.
Police have advised devotees, as far as possible, to plan their darshan either before or after the VIP visit to avoid inconvenience.
“Usually, the temple remains closed to the public between 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm. On Friday, the closure will be from 2 pm to 4 pm to facilitate the Chief Minister’s visit. Therefore, there is no reduction in the total public darshan time,” officials said.
While there is no restriction on devotees to the temple, police said darshan could be delayed for a brief period owing to security arrangements associated with the Chief Minister’s visit.
Politicians from Tamil Nadu have long shared a close association with the Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and actor MG Ramachandran had donated a golden sword to Goddess Mookambika. In 2004, then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa visited the temple, performed a Chandika Yaga and made donations to the shrine. More recently, in 2025, Durga Stalin, wife of then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, also visited the temple and offered prayers.