Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Friday, 12 June offered prayers to Goddess Mookambika at the Kollur Mookambika Temple in Karnataka's Udupi district, donating a 1.6-kilogram silver sword to the shrine during his visit. The trip marks one of the first major temple visits by Vijay since assuming office as Chief Minister.

The Visit and Offerings

Dressed in a traditional red shalya, Vijay arrived at the temple after flying into Mangaluru International Airport from New Delhi on a special flight and travelling the approximately 125 kilometres to Kollur by road. He was received by temple authorities with a traditional Poornakumbha Swagata — a customary ceremonial welcome — and a sacred thread was tied to his wrist. Despite light drizzle, he briefly paused outside the temple entrance to greet a large crowd of supporters who had gathered to receive him.

Kollur Mookambika Temple President Babu Hegde told reporters that Vijay's darshan lasted approximately 20 minutes. 'There was no special sankalpa. He stood before the sanctum sanctorum, prayed, and left. He spent about 20 minutes in the temple. We had made all necessary security arrangements for the visit,' Hegde said.

Reception and Security Arrangements

Minister for Health U.T. Khader, a senior leader from the region, received Vijay at the airport along with district officials and presented him with a book. Security was significantly tightened across the 125-kilometre route from Mangaluru to Kollur, with personnel from both Karnataka Police and Tamil Nadu Police deployed throughout. Entry of regular devotees to the temple was temporarily restricted until Vijay completed his prayers. A close protection group of 40 personnel, including a DIG and SP from Tamil Nadu Police, accompanied the Chief Minister, who holds Z+ security cover.

Political Undercurrents

The visit came amid a degree of political sensitivity. Pro-Kannada outfits had announced plans to display black flags to protest Vijay's presence, given that the Tamil Nadu government — led by Vijay — is opposing the Mekedatu project. Vijay has reportedly written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging that the project not be permitted to proceed. Police were deployed in anticipation of potential demonstrations, though no major incident was reported.

A Tradition Among Tamil Nadu Leaders

Vijay's visit follows a well-established precedent among Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers. Former Chief Ministers M.G. Ramachandran, Janaki Ramachandran, and J. Jayalalithaa had each visited Kollur and sought the blessings of Goddess Mookambika after assuming office. Vijay's pilgrimage is seen as continuing that tradition.

About the Kollur Mookambika Temple

The Kollur Mookambika Temple, situated in Udupi district, is regarded as one of the seven abodes of Salvation in the creation of Parashurama and was established by Adi Shankaracharya. The presiding deity, Devi Mookambike, is worshipped as Adi Shakti — a unique Udhbhavalinga that is said to represent Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati on its left, and Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva on its right. A gold chain divides the Jyothirlinga, with the left representing Shakti and the right representing Shiva. Worship at the temple continues to follow the Vijayagama system instituted by Adi Shankaracharya. Vijay was scheduled to depart from Mangaluru to Chennai on the special flight at 5.30 pm.