Tamil Nadu CM Vijay visits Kollur Mookambika Temple in Karnataka amid tight security
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay's pilgrimage to Kollur Mookambika Temple came loaded with political subtext — pro-Kannada outfits threatened black-flag protests over his opposition to the Mekedatu project, turning a devotional visit into a flashpoint between two states with a long-running water dispute.
Key Takeaways
Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay arrived in Mangaluru on 12 June to visit the Kollur Mookambika Temple in Karnataka's Udupi district .
Entry of devotees was temporarily restricted; 40 police personnel including a DIG and SP from Tamil Nadu Police formed his close protection group under Z+ security cover .
Pro-Kannada outfits announced black-flag protests over Vijay's opposition to the Mekedatu project ; Vijay had written to PM Narendra Modi urging the Centre to halt the project.
Vijay travelled 125 km by road from Mangaluru to Kollur, with police cover along the entire stretch.
Former Tamil Nadu CMs M.G.
Ramachandran , Janaki Ramachandran , and Jayalalithaa had all visited Kollur after assuming office — a tradition Vijay continues.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay arrived in Mangaluru on Friday, 12 June to offer prayers at the Kollur Mookambika Temple, one of Karnataka's most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites, located in Udupi district. The visit drew significant security mobilisation across both states, with pro-Kannada groups announcing protest demonstrations along the route.
Security Arrangements
Karnataka Police tightened security in and around the temple premises ahead of Vijay's arrival, temporarily restricting devotee entry until the Chief Minister completed his prayers. Personnel from both Karnataka Police and Tamil Nadu Police were deployed at Mangaluru International Airport, where convoy vehicles from Tamil Nadu were already stationed. A close protection group of 40 police personnel, including a DIG and SP from Tamil Nadu Police, accompanied Vijay, who holds Z+ security cover. Officers anticipated large crowds, citing Vijay's considerable fan following in Karnataka.
The Journey and Schedule
Vijay flew into Mangaluru from Delhi on a special flight and proceeded to the temple town of Kollur by road — a stretch of approximately 125 kilometres with police cover maintained throughout. He was scheduled to depart Mangaluru for Chennai on a special flight at 5:30 pm IST.
Political Tensions Along the Route
The visit unfolded against a backdrop of interstate friction. Pro-Kannada outfits announced they would display black flags to protest Vijay's presence, citing the Tamil Nadu government's opposition to the Mekedatu project — a proposed dam on the Cauvery river. Vijay had previously written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Centre not to proceed with the project, a position that has drawn sharp criticism from Kannada groups.
Significance of Kollur Mookambika Temple
The Kollur Shree Kshethram, situated in Udupi district, is regarded as one of the seven abodes of salvation in the tradition of Parashurama and is said to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya. The presiding deity, Devi Mookambike, is worshipped as an Adi Shakti, with the Linga uniquely integrating Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati on its left side and Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva on its right. A gold chain divides the Jyothirlinga into Shakti and Shiva portions. Worship at the temple continues to follow the Vijayagama system laid down by Adi Shankaracharya.
A Tradition Among Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers
Vijay's visit follows a well-established precedent. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers M.G. Ramachandran, Janaki Ramachandran, and J. Jayalalithaa had each visited Kollur to seek the goddess's blessings after assuming office. The pilgrimage is widely seen as a customary act of devotion by newly inducted Tamil Nadu leaders.
Point of View
Making Vijay's presence on Karnataka soil politically charged regardless of intent. The black-flag threat from pro-Kannada groups signals that interstate water disputes, dormant in headline terms, remain deeply combustible at the street level. Whether Vijay's visit defuses or deepens that tension will depend on what, if anything, he says publicly about Mekedatu before boarding his flight back to Chennai.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay visit Kollur Mookambika Temple?
Vijay visited the Kollur Mookambika Temple in Karnataka's Udupi district on 12 June to offer prayers at the revered Hindu pilgrimage site. The visit follows a tradition among Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers — M.G. Ramachandran, Janaki Ramachandran, and Jayalalithaa had all visited Kollur after assuming office.
Why were pro-Kannada groups protesting Vijay's visit?
Pro-Kannada outfits announced they would display black flags to protest Vijay's presence in Karnataka, citing the Tamil Nadu government's opposition to the Mekedatu dam project on the Cauvery river. Vijay had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Centre not to proceed with the project.
What security arrangements were made for CM Vijay's visit?
Karnataka Police tightened security at the temple and temporarily restricted devotee entry. A close protection group of 40 police personnel, including a DIG and SP from Tamil Nadu Police, accompanied Vijay, who holds Z+ security cover. Security was also heightened at Mangaluru International Airport.
What is the significance of Kollur Mookambika Temple?
The Kollur Shree Kshethram is one of the seven abodes of salvation in the Parashurama tradition and is said to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya. The presiding deity, Devi Mookambike, is worshipped as Adi Shakti, with the Jyothirlinga uniquely integrating forms of Shakti and Shiva.
What is the Mekedatu project and why is it controversial?
The Mekedatu project is a proposed dam on the Cauvery river in Karnataka. Tamil Nadu opposes the project, arguing it would affect downstream water flows; CM Vijay has written to Prime Minister Modi urging the Centre to halt it. The dispute has been a source of sustained interstate tension between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
